Youth Services System, Inc. (YSS) is hosting a ribbon-cutting ceremony on April 2 at 10 a.m. to celebrate their 50th anniversary. The ceremony will take place at their main office building at 87 15th St., Wheeling, W.Va., and will be open to the public.
YSS was started by a few invested community members including Ron Mulholland, our founder, Ron Klug who, at the time of inception in 1974, worked for what is now known as the W.Va. Department of Human Services (current Emeritus Board Member), Rev. Gary Beale, who was the Executive Director of The House of the Carpenter for more than 40 years, Sue Abraham, while raising young children, was the Ohio County Youth Services System Secretary, Charles Gordon, mathematics teacher at Wheeling Park High School for over 25 years, Donald Carney, former Board Member and Bruce Patalano who worked for years at the Department of Human Services Child Protective Services Unit.
Jill Eddy, CEO of YSS, says, “We wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for these individuals, along with John Looney who worked with Ron Klug at the Department of Human Services in the Youth Services Unit, Judge George Spillers and John Nanny.” Judge Spillers is a current Emeritus Board Member, and Nanny was the Director of Attendance and Social Services at Ohio County Schools and served on our Emeritus Board.
Eddy continues, “YSS is fortunate to have been welcomed by the community. We have hired several new staff who have joined many long-term committed staff, and we look forward to our future.”
Eddy will be speaking on behalf of the agency at the ceremony, along with Rod Lee, Chairman of the Board of Directors. Ron Klug and Sue Abraham, two of the six individuals who signed the agency’s incorporation papers in 1974, will also say a few words at the ceremony.
Eddy adds, “We are excited to celebrate a remarkable milestone, 50 years of service.”
Refreshments and snacks will be provided after the event, and there will be an information table where attendees can gather more details about the agency and its services. If inclement weather, the ceremony will take place inside on the first floor.
YSS is hosting a 50th anniversary celebration dinner at Stratford Springs on April 27. If you’re interested in attending the event, visit the website to purchase tickets or contact Holly Fox at hfox1@ysswv.com.
For more information about the ribbon-cutting ceremony, please contact Elizabeth Griffith at egriffith@ysswv.com.
