This is the 22nd year of the YAR Conference. A lot can happen over twenty-plus years. We’ve all grown a bit older, and hopefully a bit wiser. We’ve also lost a few friends over those years. This past year we lost two individuals who were a big part of YAR over those years: Jacqui Williams passed peacefully in August of last year at the age of 97, and Dick Muzzy died skiing down one of his favorite trails this past February. We are dedicating this year’s conference to these dear friends, and we want to share with you a little about them and the difference they made to us and to the children and families they touched.

Jacqui Williams showed up at the first YAR Conference at the still young age of 75 – yes, a few years after most of us would be retiring! She appeared as a somewhat unassuming woman but brimming with energy and enthusiasm. She was still working for DMH at that time and continued well into her 80’s. I remember meeting her as we were setting up for the conference and walking with her to her car to get “a few things”. Her trunk was loaded with DMH tote bags, handouts, and other goodies. She was a tireless advocate for children and families, having raised four sons after losing her husband in 1969. Besides working, she was active in the Republican Party, and even then served as a political conscience promoting the importance of caring for kids and families whatever the political perspective. Jacqui quickly became a key member of our YAR Committee and continued to serve into her 90’s when her eyesight began to fail; however, Jacqui’s vision never failed or waivered as she worked to better the lives of children and families in Massachusetts. We will always smile when we remember her or see a tote bag.

Dick Muzzy made everyone feel like they were the only person in the room. He listened intently to everything said and you knew it truly mattered to him. He was one of the kindest, patient, genuine and compassionate people you could ever meet.

Anytime Dick’s name was mentioned, you would hear more versions of this same sentiment. It was easily the first thing everyone noticed about him. He always let everyone know the special things he saw in them. He was warm and welcoming and inclusive and always greeted you with a warm smile and eyes that let you know you mattered. He changed people’s lives with his welcoming nature. He had a desire to help others and strived to have a positive impact on the greater good in the world.

Dick was a role model for living life with a work/life balance.. He didn’t feel guilty about having a happy personal life and taking care of himself. He loved to ski, dance and have drinks and dinners with his friends. He said “yes” to everything: to all opportunities to seize life and connect with others. He traveled everywhere to stay connected with his friends and family, always making them feel important and special.

Dick arrived in Boston in the 1970’s and started his career in mental health. He dedicated his life to the mental health field and was most proud of the pioneering work he did with The Young Fathers Program. He worked at ski schools, summer camps, with incarcerated men in the Middleton jail and for years as the Director of Clinical Services at Catholic Charities. Dick was active in the YAR community and held the YAR conference near and dear to his heart and contributed so much to it during his time as Co-Chair and his years as a member of the Conference Committee.

In retirement Dick moved to Wyoming to pursue his lifelong dream of living in a mountain town to ski for an entire winter. He spent the last few years of his life doing just that until he passed away from a sudden cardiac event at the mountain lodge doing what he loved.

Dick lived life to the fullest. He was a kind and amazing man, husband, step father, friend, colleague, and support for all with whom he came in contact.

He held this conference near and dear to his heart and contributed so much to it during his time as Co-Chair and as a member of the Conference Committee.

As we pause to remember Jacqui Williams and Dick Muzzy for all they did and who they were, we want to show our gratitude to them to them and be inspired by their example in the work that we do and the dedication we all share in serving youth at risk and their families.

We are blessed to have known these two remarkable individuals, and by dedicating this conference to them we hope to not only honor them but acknowledge all of those who serve at-risk youth and families, for ultimately it is what we do that determines who we are.