1. 2013-2014 ANNUAL REPORT
BIRMINGHAM YOUTH ASSISTANCE
We are BYA! You are BYA!
Birmingham Youth Assistance
2436 W. Lincoln, Ste. F102
Birmingham, Michigan 48009
(248) 203-4300
FAX (248) 203-4301
E-MAIL:
office@birminghamyouthassistance.org
WEBSITE:
www.birminghamyouthassistance.org
Get Social with us on
2013-2014
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Chair
Christine Gannon
Vice-Chair
Reuben Myers
Secretary
Jill Reichenbach Fill
Treasurer
Reuben Myers
Past Chair
Richard Stasys
Andrew G. Acho
Judith Adelman
Linda Brooks
Gregory Burry
Det. Lee Davis
Mary Jo Dawson
Russ Facione
Jill Reichenbach Fill
Christine Gannon
Det. Jerry Hall
Dante Lanzetta, Jr.
2013-2014
GENERAL CITIZENS COMMITTEE
Ann Nazareth
Manning
Tom McDaniel
Reuben Myers
Dr. Daniel Nerad
Vicki Sower
Richard Stasys
Shelley Taub
James C. Van Dyke
David R. Walker
ADVISORY MEMBERS
Sheriff Michael Bouchard
Jason Clinkscale
Connie Jaroh
A. Randolph Judd
David Rogers
Susan Rogers
Rachel Rotger
Anne Van Dyke
OFFICE STAFF
Caseworker
Nikki Keller
Office Manager
Diedra Righter
2014 Dog Show First Place Winners
Best Costume Emma Block & Cali (Smooth Coli/Husky)
Best Behaved Ryan Mile & Mimi (English Bulldog)
Best Treat Catcher Ava Shaw & Baxter (Golden Retriever)
Most Personality Seth Katzman & Sophie (Bull Dog)
Best Trick Jordan Budnar & Sammy (Jack Russell)
Waggiest Tail Maggie Babiarz & Abby (Labradoodle)
Best Looking Zoey & Naomi Tink & Lego (Great Pyrenees)
Best in Show Seth Katzman & Sophie
33rd Annual Kids’ Dog Show
The 33rd Annual Kids’
Dog Show was held on Febru-
ary 2, 2014 at Berkshire Mid-
dle School.
Our Dog Show judges
this year were City of Bir-
mingham Mayor Scott Moore,
Beverly Hills President Pro-
Tem Walter Briggs, Oakland
County Commissioner Shel-
ley Taub, Pam Roehr of the
Southern Michigan Obedience
Training Club, Mike Palmer
of Premier Pet Supply, and
special celebrity guest judge
Shannon Murphy from 95.5 Mojo in the Morning. The judges were terrific, as was
Jason Clinkscale, Principal of Berkshire Middle School,
in his third year as emcee.
The faithful support of Premier Pet Supply and the
Southern Michigan Obedience Training Club is deeply
appreciated. This year I would also like to thank Canine
Couture and the Beverly Hills Veterinary Associates for
their sponsorship. I am also very grateful to the numer-
ous BYA volunteers and student volunteers from Groves,
Seaholm, and Derby who make this event possible.
Looking forward to the 2015 Kids’ Dog Show: Bigger, Better,
Barker!
James Van Dyke, Chair
Kids’ Dog Show
The Belkin Family
2014 Best in Show - Seth & Sophie

2. 2 BYA 2013-2014 Annual Report
Years ago, I read this story of the Masai tribe of Kenya and their focus and call to protect the youngest
members of the community. I have never forgotten it.
The Masai tribe traditionally greets one another with the phrase, “Kasserian Ingera,” which, in Swahili,
means, “Are the children well?”
It is said that members of the tribe would return this greeting with the traditional answer, “all the children
are well.”
For the Masai tribe, even those with no children of their own, the well-being of all of the children is one of their highest
priorities. The Masai tribe values their children and is concerned for their peace and safety. The members know that each
one is called to protect the youngest members of their community.
Over the last fifty-two years, the volunteers and staff of Birmingham Youth Assistance have provided dedicated services
to the youth and families in our community, keeping the well-being of the children as our highest priority. We will continue
until our response to the Masai’s traditional greeting can confidently be: “all the children are well.”
As you might know, BYA is a tri-partnership of the Oakland County Circuit Court Family Division, the Birmingham School
District, the City of Birmingham, and the Villages of Beverly Hills, Bingham Farms, and Franklin. BYA provides service in two
ways. Counseling and casework support services, under the umbrella of the Oakland County Circuit Court Family Division
Court, provide professional staff to work with referred youth and families. Community and school programs include parenting
education programs, camp scholarships, youth mentoring, and school programs that help prevent juvenile delinquency.
BYA supports strong families by sponsoring positive family events including Breakfast with Santa, the Kids’ Dog Show,
Youth in Service Appreciation, and Touch-a-Truck. All these programs are offered through the coordination of a group of
passionate and talented volunteers who comprise the Birmingham Youth Assistance organization. These volunteers are
diligently working for our community to one day be able to respond, “all the children are well.”
It’s OUR responsibility to ensure that our young people are well, all of us together. We would love your input and your
support. Our young people need you. Our community needs you. Thank you for all your encouragement.
Christine Gannon
BYA Chair
Chair’s Report
The mission of Birmingham
Youth Assistance is the pre-
vention and reduction of juve-
nile delinquency, child abuse,
and child neglect, by providing
community based casework and
counseling services as well as
providing positive alternatives
for children and families that live
within the boundaries of the Bir-
mingham Public School District.
BYA is a partnership of: the Oak-
land County Circuit Court—Family
Division; the City of Birmingham
and the Villages of Beverly Hills,
Bingham Farms and Franklin; the
Birmingham Public Schools; and
community volunteers.
As a primary form of prevention, BYA strives to raise aware-
ness through educational programing offered free of cost to
the surrounding areas. Thanks to the generous support of the
First Presbyterian Church of Birmingham, BYA in conjunction
with The Birmingham Early Childhood Center, focused ef-
forts on “What Every Parent Hopes for in Their Pre School
Child……. Self-Esteem & Resilience.” Julie Ogg, Parent
Educator from Great Parents, Great Start of Oakland Coun-
ty, spoke on how best to promote self-esteem in young children.
On a more progressive note, BYA hosted a hands-on energy workshop with
middle school children. Nancy Judge from the Healing Touch Center explained
how we feel and react to the energy around us. The experiential approach dem-
onstrated the interconnectivity of all things. The primary goal of the program
was to assist young people to better understand how their energy and mind
influence the events around them. The pragmatic techniques acquired through
this presentation will aid the participants in coping more effectively with life’s
daily stresses.
Next on the agenda is, “Improve your Mood, Don’t S.C.A.R.F. your Food.”
This workshop will solidify how our food choices impact our mood, health
and general sense of well-being. The program is planned for October 21st at
Seaholm High School.
BYA welcomes community volunteers who are interested in bringing new ideas
to the table and those who are willing to bring them to fruition.
Mary Jo Dawson, Chair
Family Education
Family Education

3. 3BYA 2013-2014 Annual Report
This year, I’ve had the opportunity to work with many wonderful people, adults and youth alike, some
of whom volunteer their time, and others who are receiving services. Through these encounters, I’ve
discovered that the vast majority of us, regardless of our age or where we come from, are working on the
same issues: finding balance and self-care.
Stress is relative, so whether we’re consumed with meeting a work deadline, maintaining our household,
or living with an alcoholic parent, our lives can feel equally overwhelming. Unfortunately, as hard as we
try, we may be unable to change life circumstances or those around us.
Through my personal and professional experiences this year, I have focused my efforts on teaching self-care. I’ve
emphasized to families the importance of balancing physical, emotional, spiritual, and cognitive well-being through diet,
exercise, and mindfulness practice. I’ve also had the opportunity, as the Birmingham Youth Assistance caseworker, to
work one-on-one with about 75 young people and their families so far this year through counseling and group meetings.
As part of this theme of self-care, BYA, in conjunction with the Healing Touch Center, offered a program to middle
school children entitled “The Environment We Create”. And, as we do every year, BYA continues to sponsor scholarships
for activities that promote happiness and good health such as camperships, skill building opportunities and our fun family
events. Next on the horizon is “Improve Your Mood, Don’t S.C.A.R.F. your Food,” an educational program on how food
impacts our mood that soon will be offered to high school students.
I’m very excited about the direction in which we’re moving as a program and the possibilities for what is yet to come.
My wish is that we continue to attract new volunteers with fresh ideas and the fervor to work together for our goal. Tom
McDaniel and the fundraising committee have outdone themselves with this year’s creative RedRaiser events, partnering
up with two of Birmingham’s new restaurants to raise money through sneak preview events. Thank you to Dan Linen of
Rojo and Eileen &Raad Sakko and Derrick Rassam of The Mad Hatter! Please stop by these two restaurants soon for a
wonderful meal!
Nikki Keller, MS
Caseworker
Caseworker’s Report
Summer Camp
For over 30 years, BYA has provided camp scholarships to area children whose lives could be enriched
and improved with a summer camp experience. Unfortunately, summer camp may not be obtainable for
many of those who would most benefit from a camping opportunity because of the tough challenges they
face in their lives.
Camp is a time for the children to play, have fun, and just be kids. Birmingham Youth Assistance is
committed to helping these children and families. We strongly believe a camp experience provides an
opportunity for youngsters to learn many positive life lessons such as character development, self-confidence, socialization,
and team building. This summer we were thrilled to offer camp scholarships to 43 area youth!
Birmingham school counselors, teachers, and other staff refer those students who are in most need and who are eligible
by virtue of living in the area served by the Birmingham Public Schools. Parents also can make a referral. Most parents
select a day camp for their children while others prefer a residential overnight camp. Funding for the camp program consists
of grants, private donations, and proceeds from the BYA fundraising events held throughout the year. Thank you to those
who donated and helped make these experiences happen this summer.
This year, for the first time, BYA partnered with the local Birmingham Tim Hortons to send two additional girls to the Tim
Hortons Children’s Foundation Camp in Nova Scotia, Canada. The camp experience was fully funded by the Tim Hortons
Children’s Foundation at a cost of about $2,500 per child, including airfare, bus transportation, and all other incidentals. We
truly appreciate and are very grateful for the opportunity to work with our local Birmingham Tim Hortons to select campers
for this outstanding summer experience.
Youth receiving scholarships attended camps including BPS Camp Super Summer, Camp Ohiyesa, Camp Copneconic,
Catholic Youth Organization (CYO), and Camp Skyline. Summer camp is one of those positive experiences that really help
to make a difference in the lives of the families we serve. For more information about our summer camp scholarships, please
contact the BYA office at (248) 203-4300.
Richard Stasys, Chair
Camp Committee

4. 4 BYA 2013-2014 Annual Report
Youth in Service Appreciation
April 16, 2014 marked the 4th Annual Youth in
Service Appreciation Awards co-sponsored by Birmingham
YouthAssistance and the Birmingham Optimists. Birmingham
Youth Assistance has sponsored a similar event for over 45
years.
The event was held at the Birmingham Community House,
a longtime supporter of both Birmingham Youth Assistance
and the Optimists. This year we honored 17 Middle School
and 20 High School students. These students had been
nominated by their counselors, teachers, pastors or other
civic service leaders for their outstanding contributions to our communities and beyond. The youth
came from the communities: Birmingham, Bloomfield, Bingham Farms, Beverly Hills and Franklin.
The nominees included a young man, Dylan Kanaan, a student at Seaholm High School, who was individually recognized
for the 2014 Jane Parker Ward Award. Dylan performed a significant amount of volunteer work at Common Ground as a help
line volunteer. This position required over 100 hours of training to qualify as a volunteer. As always it was difficult to single
out one award recipient. Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard presented the 2014 Jane Parker Ward Award this year
to Dylan.
Family members, school administrators, church leaders, officials representing local, county, and state governments and
members of Oakland County and Birmingham Youth Assistance and the Birmingham Optimist Club, were among those
celebrating the incredible work and unselfish hours of time given by the honorees. I had the pleasure of welcoming the
honorees and their families and friends. Greetings were extended from the Oakland County Circuit Court-Family Division
and the Family Court Judges, by Lisa Langston, Deputy Court Administrator, as well as Christine Gannon, the current
Chairperson of Birmingham Youth Assistance, and Thomas Longhway, the current President of the Optimist club.
Our keynote speaker this year was Senior Chaplain Gail Panny of the International Fellowship of Chaplains, Inc. Chaplain
Panny’s ministry includes community outreach activities with Judges, parole officers and probation agents. She also does a
significant amount of work with inmates and suicide prevention. Much of her activity is with law enforcement agencies. We
thank her for her participation in this event. The nominees were recognized and their
individual achievements noted by James Van Dyke, Attorney and longtime member of
BYA and me.
BYA would like to thank the public officials, teachers and school officials, church
leaders, family and friends, as well as all of those volunteers from The
Birmingham Optimist Club and Birmingham Youth Assistance. These
dedicated individuals all helped in making the 2014 Youth in Service
Appreciation Awards breakfast such a success.
David R. Walker, Chair
Youth in Service Appreciation
Middle School Nominees: Teresa Aquino, Katrina Beckeman, Steven Childers, Rachel Cryberg, Charles Eriksen, Thomas Forberg,
Stephanie Green, Emily Juriga, Yuval Kohn, Sebastian Leone, Kate Lucken, Malcolm Machesky, Lily Meinel, Larkin O’Gorman,
Daniel Righter, Chelsea Schaufler, Henry Wilms
High School Nominees: Emily Abbott, Alexandria Boutros, Tristan Crimmins, Morgan Fry, Erica Gardner, Alfred L. Girardot,
Ryan Head, Kelly Johnson, Amy Lynn Kamsickas, Dylan Kanaan, John “Cole” Kantgias, Zachary Lapinski, Jacqueline Meier, Jack
Michaud, AlissaBeth Morton, Ashley Sawchuk, Cameron Scott, Eric Scott, Lily Talmers, Carly Wade
Jane Parker Ward Award
Winner, Dylan Kanaan,
along with
Sheriff Bouchard
& David R. Walker
The nominees came from:
Birmingham Covington School
Berkshire Middle School
Derby Middle School
Brother Rice High School
Groves High School
Marian High School
The Academy of the Sacred Heart
The International Academy
Seaholm High School
Attending Officials:
Oakland County Sheriff
Michael Bouchard
Oakland County Commissioner
Shelley Taub
Birmingham Public Schools
Superintendent Dr. Daniel Nerad
Chief of Police for the City of
Birmingham Donald Studt
Congressman Kerry Bentivolio
Congressman Sander Levin
Representatives were in attendance for:
Representative Gary Peters
Senator John Pappageorge

5. 5BYA 2013-2014 Annual Report
Touch-A-Truck
Breakfast with Santa
On Saturday, May 17, 2014, Birmingham Youth Assistance was excited to host our 7th
Annual “Touch-a-Truck” event at Bingham Farms Elementary School. At this fun, family-focused
event, adults and children from across the area were invited to get up-close with trucks, cranes,
and public safety vehicles. Over 200 cars, filled with families, got
to enjoy this great event.
The bus loop was filled with vehicles from the City of
Birmingham, Village of Franklin, Birmingham Public Schools, and
private businesses and owners. Kids of all ages were able to sit
in the cab of a boom crane, “drive” a race car, and check out the
Beverly Hills and Franklin emergency vehicles. We were happy
to offer a delicious barbecued lunch, cooked by our wonderful volunteers. Most families took
advantage of this opportunity and bought a delicious hot dog or bratwurst. Thank you to Costco
in Bloomfield Township for donating our lunch menu items.
Also, thank you to committee members for volunteering their time: Judy Adelman, Mary Jo Dawson, Ann Manning, Dave
Walker, Reuben Myers, Dick Stasys, Andy Acho, and teen volunteers who helped out. We could not put on events like this
without your dedication.
I want to express a VERY SPECIAL THANK YOU to our truck donors who took time out of their busy
schedules to help make this event such a success: Laramie Crane Co., Monaghan’s Towing, Franklin Fire
Dept., the Oakland County Sheriff’s Department, Durham Transportation (Birmingham Public Schools),
the City of Birmingham’s DPW, and Horst Reinhardt of VR Performance. Without their generosity and
dedication, we couldn’t offer this wonderful event.
Russ Facione, Chair
Touch-a-Truck
Breakfast with Santa was again a wonderful and successful event. Birmingham
Youth Assistance has been offering this fun-filled family event since 1993. Held at The
Community House in Birmingham on Saturday, December 7, 2013, our breakfast has
become a family tradition for many of our Birmingham area families.
We would like to thank our truly awesome volunteers from the Academy of
the Sacred Heart, Seaholm, and Groves High Schools who acted as Santa’s Helpers.
The teen volunteers entertained children with face
painting and temporary tattoos while they eagerly
anticipated their turn with Santa. Thanks also to the
Seaholm Orchestra and to the Groves Senior Choir.
Their beautiful gift of music helped set the tone. All
of these special teens gave up part of their Saturday morning to help make our event
a success. Thank you to the Birmingham Optimists for their generous sponsorship
of Wilma the Clown, who fashioned amazing balloon creations that the children took
home, and Steve the Magician. These talented performers kept the children (parents
too!) highly entertained as they waited to see Santa. Santa was able to spend quality one-to-one time with all of the
children, which surely was the highlight of their morning.
A very special thank you is extended to Santa, who made the long trip just to be with us. Thank you to The Community
House for their partnership of this event. This year both seatings were sold out! We appreciated the help of our wonderful
BYA volunteers and give special thanks to Andy Acho and Russ Facione, our breakfast
emcees. Without the help of our dedicated volunteers, events such as this would not be
possible.
Mary Jo Dawson and Reuben Myers, Co-Chairs
Breakfast with Santa

6. 6 BYA 2013-2014 Annual Report
2013-2014
NDIVIDUAL DONATIONS
Dee & Andy Acho
Judith & Joel Adelman
Sheriff Michael Bouchard
Marceline & Gerald Bright
James Buchanan
Katie & Christopher Conti
Mary Jo & Chip Dawson
Gloria & Ray Finocchio
Christine Gannon & Sara Scott
Dorothy Garrison
Susan & Geoff Hill
Marcia Gershenson
Trina & Douglas Krizanic
Dante & Jane Lanzetta
Elizabeth Lee
Tom Longhway
Thomas & Susan McDaniel
Jaime Pfeffers
Sharon & Ed Pugh
Susan & David Rogers
Kristine & William Schaufler
Thomas Schellenberg
Richard & Kathy Stasys
Vicki Sower
Shelley Taub
Anne & James Van Dyke
David R. Walker
Marcia & Steve Wilkinson
Robert Williams
Hon. Joan E. Young
2013-2014
AGENCY & BUSINESS DONATIONS
The Birmingham Bloomfield
Chamber of Commerce
The Birmingham Optimists
Costco of Bloomfield Township
Beverly Hills Veterinary Association, Inc.
Birmingham Community Education
BPS Community Education Councils
Bloomfield Tennis & Fitness
Canine Couture, LLC
City of Birmingham
First United Methodist Church
The Lyon Foundation
Premier Pet Supply
Presbyterian Women
of the First Presbyterian Church
of Birmingham
The Principal Shopping District
Rene’s Hair Shoppe
Seaholm High School PTSA
Southern Michigan Obedience
Training Club
Tim Hortons
Village of Beverly Hills
Village of Bingham Farms
Village of Franklin
The Village Women’s
Club Foundation
We are thrilled to announce Mike Palmer as the first annual BYA Champion. For
those of you who know Mike, or know of him, it will come as no surprise that he is
the inspiration for our idea of recognizing true champions in the support of youth
in our area.
Mike is a very successful businessman. His enterprise, Premier Pet Supply in
Beverly Hills, has won several regional awards as the best pet store in southeast
Michigan and is one of the highest-volume independently owned pet stores in the
Midwest. In 2012, Mike was recognized by Oakland County Executive L. Brooks
Patterson as one of his “Elite 40 Under 40”. As impressive as these achievements
are, what inspires us about Mike is his heart. He constantly gives back to the
community in more ways than we can count.
Mike hosts weekly adoption events at Premier Pet Supply with several rescue
groups, and in the past decade has helped facilitate the adoption of over 3,000
cats and dogs. In 2010, he partnered with a 9-year old who wanted to help families
that could not afford to feed their pets. Together, they created the Birmingham Pet
Pantry that has to date collected over 20,000 lbs. of food for distribution through
Gleaners Community Food Bank and the Michigan Animal Care Network. In
addition to his commitment to animals, much of Mike’s community contributions
revolve around the area’s youth. He speaks at schools on a regular basis to
educate children about pet care, and has spoken to kids at numerous career day
events about owning a business. Premier Pet Supply works with Birmingham
Public Schools to employ two autistic part-time employees and has a Premier Pet
Volunteer program where elementary school students rotate monthly to volunteer
at the store.
And, of course, Mike is an avid supporter of BYA. Champions rise to the top
for three reasons: time, talent, and treasure. Mike exemplifies a true champion
in each respect. He gives his time to BYA, particularly with the Kids’ Dog Show.
He gives his talent for working with children and volunteers. And, finally, he gives
generously of his treasure to fund and support BYA endeavors. In 2014 alone, his
direct and in-kind support of the Kids’ Dog Show added up to nearly $2,000. Mike
goes beyond all expectations for a BYA volunteer. He truly cares about BYA, and
it shows through his commitment, support, and involvement.
Mike is a wonderful example of what we all should be like. He is a “giver” in the
true sense – he is humble about his amazing contributions and expects nothing
in return. Mike’s business philosophy for Premier Pet Supply is to be a modern
“Mom & Pop” store. Nothing says family more than that, and BYA is all about
family. We are lucky to have him in our community and are honored to name him
as the first Birmingham Youth Assistance champion.
2014 BYA Champion
Mike Palmer and 2012 “Best in Show” Winner G.G. Fill and Sabine

7. 7BYA 2013-2014 Annual Report
BYA REDRaisers!
Fundraising is critical to BYA, as it is to many non-profits. Without the
funds raised from generous donors and through fundraising events, we
would be unable to carry on our important work serving youth and families
in the community.
We are really excited about our newest fundraising endeavors, which we call
RedRaisers. RedRaisers are our own pocket-sized mixers that are packed full of perks
and surprises that raise money for BYA. We were thrilled to partner with two brand
new restaurants—Rojo Mexican Grill and the Mad Hatter Bistro, Bar, and Tea Room—in
downtown Birmingham to hold “sneak preview” nights before their official openings. Both
eateries generously donated all the food, so that 100% of the ticket proceeds could go
to supporting BYA. For each of the festive evening events, ticket purchasers were able
to be the very first people to check out the new restaurants, sample delicious menu
offerings, and enjoy a fun evening of good conversation as well as food. Together, these
two events raised more than $6,000 for BYA.
As is the case with any successful partnership, these RedRaiser events were real win-
win situations. In addition to successfully raising much-needed funds to support BYA’s
mission, they helped to create some “buzz” to help get these exciting new establishments
off to a great start. We hope to hold more of these successful events as new restaurants
open in the Birmingham area. The next time you go out for a meal, please choose Rojo
Mexican Grill or the Mad Hatter. In addition to serving great food, they also give back to
our community in fun ways. A special thanks to Dan Linen of Rojo and Derrick Rassam
and Eileen and Raad Sakko of the Mad Hatter for these amazing opportunities to share
BYA’s message with the greater community.
To all of you who attended these events or supported BYA in other ways, we extend
heartfelt thanks. We couldn’t do it without you!
Tom McDaniel, Chair
Fundraising
Exec. Chef Derrick Rassam
& owner Eileen Sakko
Photo credit: Julie Yolles
Nikki Keller, Raad Sakko,
Richard Stasys
Photo credit: Julie Yolles
The Mentors Plus Program is a committee of Birmingham Youth Assistance. The program comes under the auspices of
the Family Division of the Oakland County Circuit Court. I have been the Chair of this Committee since 1997. It has been
a very enjoyable and enriching experience for me personally as I have had the unique opportunity to impact the lives of
a number of young people in a positive and constructive manner.
The program matches pre-screened volunteers with youth based on various criteria. Sometimes the child might be one
who has been identified as being in a risk group for potential difficulties. He or she might simply be a child who needs an
adult influence other than that of their parents. The other arm of the program involves intervention with regard to children
who have begun to experience difficulties and are perhaps going to be or are already in the juvenile court system.
My current mentee is a young man who is now 17 years old. We get together at least once a week. He is excited about
playing football and is entering his senior year in high school. He wants to be a chef and will be applying to culinary
colleges this fall. We often do cooking projects when we get together. He is doing well in school otherwise and will be
a successful adult very soon. My last mentee graduated from high school with various honors as a Scholar Athlete. He
will be attending Notre Dame on a four year, full academic scholarship. We are all very proud of his accomplishments.
Youth are referred to the Mentors Plus Program through a variety of venues. Sometimes, the youth are referred to our
caseworker Ms. Keller through the schools or by their parents, teachers, or the liaison officers from the local police
departments in our area.
We continue to seek qualified male and female volunteers who are willing to spend a small amount of time with a youth
for a very large return. The minimum commitment for a mentor is one year. If anyone is interested in joining the Mentors
Plus Program as a mentor or would like to recommend, someone please contact the Birmingham Youth Assistance office
at (248) 203-4300 and speak to our Office Manager, Diedra Righter or our caseworker, Nikki Keller. I would be more than
happy to speak personally with anyone that might be interested in making a difference in one child’s life,
one day at time. I can be contacted at any time, as well: (248) 758-9900. All it takes is “a little nudge” to
change the direction of a child’s life!
While the program requires a small commitment of time, those hours will certainly make an enormous
difference in a youth’s life. I believe there are more than equal benefits to the mentor in making a
contribution to a youth and helping them achieve their full potential.
David R. Walker, Chair, Mentors Plus
Mentors Plus

8. 8 BYA 2013-2014 Annual Report
Oakland County Youth Assistance has been dedicated to the
prevention of juvenile delinquency, child abuse and neglect
since 1953. Twenty-six offices in Oakland County provide
programs to serve youth and their families, under the auspices
of the Oakland County Circuit Court-Family Division. Youth
Assistance programs work because they are community based
and developed by volunteers who have their fingers on the pulse
of the community. The County of
Oakland does not discriminate on
the basis of disability in admission
or access to its programs,
activities or services as required
by Title II of the Americans With
Disabilities Act of 1990. The County of Oakland is an Equal Employment
Opportunity Employer.
Birmingham Youth Assistance has been a non-profit community-based
service organization committed to youth and their families through a variety
of programs and resources since 1962. BYA operates with the sponsorship
and generosity of the Oakland County Circuit Court—Family Division, as
well as the City of Birmingham, the Villages of Beverly Hills, Bingham
Farms, and Franklin, and the Birmingham Public Schools. Principle funding
is supplied through the Oakland County Board of Commissioners.
About Youth Assistance
2014 Touch-A-Truck
Birmingham Youth Assistance
wishes to thank
The First United Methodist Church
The Community House in Birmingham
Birmingham Public Schools
Bingham Farms Elementary
Berkshire Middle School
Seaholm High School
The Early Childhood Center
for providing space for meetings
and BYA programs.
VILLAGE OF BEVERLY HILLS
Chris Wilson, Village Manager
Tim Mercer, Council President
Walter Briggs, President Pro-Tem
Greg Burry, Council Member
Brian LaFerriere, Council Member
Jacqueline Kelly, Council Member
John Mooney, Council Member
Jon Oen, Council Member
VILLAGE OF BINGHAM FARMS
Kathryn Hagaman, Village Clerk
Jeffrey Modell, President
Mel Ettenson, President Pro-Tem
Jeff Douville, Trustee
Larry Freedman, Trustee
Carl Grenadier, Trustee
Rodger Kesley, Trustee
Dorothy Warren, Trustee
VILLAGE OF FRANKLIN
Jim Creech, Village Administrator
James Kochensparger, President
Pam Hansen, President Pro-Tem
Brian Gordon, Trustee
Judy Moenck, Trustee
Tom Morrow, Trustee
Ed Saenz, Trustee
Mike Seltzer, Trustee
BIRMINGHAM
PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Dr. Daniel Nerad, Superintendent
Steve Scheidt, Board President
Geri Rinschler, Board Vice-President
Christopher Conti, Board Trustee
Michael Fenberg, Board Trustee
Susan Hill, Board Trustee
Robert Lawrence, Board Trustee
Lori Soifer, Board Trustee
CITY OF BIRMINGHAM
Joseph Valentine, City Manager
Scott Moore, Mayor
Stuart Lee Sherman, Mayor Pro-Tem
George Dilgard, Commissioner
Rackeline J. Hoff, Commissioner
Tom McDaniel, Commissioner
Mark Nickita, Commissioner
Gordon Rinschler, Commissioner
OAKLAND COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS
Michael J. Gingell, Chairperson
Bill Dwyer
Marcia Gershenson
Nancy Quarles
Shelley G. Taub
2014-2015 Calendar of Events
Saturday, December 6, 2014
Breakfast with Santa
at The Community House in Birmingham
Sunday, February 8, 2015
The Kids’ Dog Show
at Berkshire Middle School
Wednesday, April 22, 2015
Youth in Service Appreciation
at The Community House in Birmingham
Saturday, May 15, 2015
Touch-a-Truck
at Bingham Farms Elementary School
Look for us at Day on the Town
and the Birmingham Farmer’s Market
in the Kids Zone!
For more information visit our website at
www.birminghamyouthassistance.org
2014-2015 BYA Calendar of Events & Sponsors
OAKLAND COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT
FAMILY DIVISION
Hon. Lisa Gorcyca-
Presiding Judge, Family Division
Hon. Mary Ellen Brennan
Hon. Linda S. Hallmark
Hon. Cheryl A. Matthews
Hon. Karen D. McDonald
Hon. Elizabeth Pezzetti
Hon. Joan E. Young