Worcester Youth and Family Celebrates 50 Years
As the new year dawns on the Eastern Shore, Worcester Youth and Family Counseling Services, Inc. (WYFCS) welcomes the rays.
The local non-profit will celebrate its 50th anniversary of serving the community in 2025 and have many events planned for the upcoming year. WYFCS was established in September 1975 in cooperation with Shore Up! and Salisbury State College (now University) Social Work Department. The organization arose due to high school students requesting counseling services that were not allied with any existing agency or school. While providing accessible counseling services was the initial goal, over time the organization expanded to meet multiple behavioral health and social service needs in the community. Through changes in location and re-forming of the agency over the next fifty years, WYFCS has become what it is today- an organization boasting four growing programs covering the areas of clinical mental health counseling, child mentoring, financial outreach, and the Town of Berlin Youth Club. WYFCS has lasted through leadership changes, moves throughout Worcester County, COVID-19, and more- all to live up to their mission of “empowering all people, of all ages, toward leading capable, purposeful, responsible, fulfilled lives in healthy families and communities.”
For their fifty-year anniversary, a litany of fundraisers, outreach events, and community projects are planned. On top of local favorites such as the Shine on the Shore Luau and their Every Children Needs fund, WYFCS plans to offer programming encompassing all of Worcester County with fifty community fundraising events. The beginning of the year starts off with the 50/50/50, a twist on a common fundraising opportunity. The event will act as a 50/50 raffle, with a $50 buy-in per ticket. All year, the money will be collected with small prizes drawn monthly from the donors. In October, the winner of the grand prize (half of the 50/50 winnings) will be announced live at the 50th Celebration.
“Worcester Youth and Family has been able to endure the test of time and stay true to its original goal of increasing access to mental health and social support services. This year is a time to thank our partners, supporters, and staff (both former and current) and celebrate this amazing milestone.” Dr. Jennifer Leggour, Executive Director
As well as fundraising and outreach, WYFCS will be hosting a 50th Celebration to honor past and present leaders and employees within the agency. This event will be held on October 11th, 2025, at Mariner’s Country Down; more details will be released later in the year.