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HYSB plans Gratitude Gala May 6

FALLS VILLAGE — For over 30 years, the Housatonic Youth Service Bureau (HYSB) has provided free counseling and enrichment services to children and families throughout the Northwest corner. A spike in demand and cost in recent years has prompted the creation of HYSB’s inaugural fundraiser dinner and auction: The Gratitude Gala.

On May 6, the Interlaken Pavillion Inn in Lakeville will host the event beginning at 5 p.m. Local businesses, service agencies, corporations and individuals are invited to attend and support HYSB’s efforts.

“Our resources are stretched,” said HYSB Executive Director Kelly Parker. Demand for clinical counseling services has risen 62% in the past two years. To meet need, HYSB has nearly doubled its team by hiring four new staff, including a full-time clinician, a part-time art therapist, a finance director and an event planner. HYSB served 76 clients (163 total therapy sessions) in February 2023. For perspective, they provided services to 131 clients in all of 2022 and 86 clients in 2021.

The Gratitude Gala will also honor two longstanding HYSB board members: Nancy Bird and Linda Sloane. Both will be recognized for their outstanding contributions to HYSB and the community that it serves.

For more information on the gala and to purchase tickets, visit bit.ly/HYSBGala

Riley Klein

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