Page 5 - AR2015final
P. 5
Message from the Board Chair
Maria Salzl
This year Michael McCoy, our Executive Director,
retired after more than 30 years. His gala bash was a
huge success, allowing friends, “family”, and
community members the opportunity to thank
Michael for his years of service to the community and
share a lot of laughs at his expense. When I say
“family” I am not only referring to Michael’s relatives,
but also to the Touchstone management, staf and
board members. I have never been a part of an organization which lives and
breathes family like Touchstone.
Besides leaving behind a strong and thriving organization, Michael’s legacy
is the Front Porch Program. Michael’s retirement event raised $10,000 for
the Front Porch Program. Considering that it costs approximately $100 per
counseling session and most families attend an average of 10 visits, the
money raised will provide 10 families the support they need when they need
it. I would like to thank everyone who made this possible and I look forward
to many more fundraising activities so that more families can access this
valuable program.
Losing an executive director as “unique” as Michael in most circumstances
would leave an organization with a gaping hole to ill and a rocky time
transitioning. This has not been the case with Touchstone. For months, and
in some respects years, Michael worked with Touchstone management and
staf to ensure that the transition would be seamless and it has been. Our
new Executive Director, Judy Valsonis, has worked at Touchstone for 18
years and brings a great deal of experience,
compassion, patience and humour to her
role… the latter two I’m sure are the result of
working so closely with Michael.
I am honoured and proud to be a small part of
such a wonderful organization.
Maria Salzl
This year Michael McCoy, our Executive Director,
retired after more than 30 years. His gala bash was a
huge success, allowing friends, “family”, and
community members the opportunity to thank
Michael for his years of service to the community and
share a lot of laughs at his expense. When I say
“family” I am not only referring to Michael’s relatives,
but also to the Touchstone management, staf and
board members. I have never been a part of an organization which lives and
breathes family like Touchstone.
Besides leaving behind a strong and thriving organization, Michael’s legacy
is the Front Porch Program. Michael’s retirement event raised $10,000 for
the Front Porch Program. Considering that it costs approximately $100 per
counseling session and most families attend an average of 10 visits, the
money raised will provide 10 families the support they need when they need
it. I would like to thank everyone who made this possible and I look forward
to many more fundraising activities so that more families can access this
valuable program.
Losing an executive director as “unique” as Michael in most circumstances
would leave an organization with a gaping hole to ill and a rocky time
transitioning. This has not been the case with Touchstone. For months, and
in some respects years, Michael worked with Touchstone management and
staf to ensure that the transition would be seamless and it has been. Our
new Executive Director, Judy Valsonis, has worked at Touchstone for 18
years and brings a great deal of experience,
compassion, patience and humour to her
role… the latter two I’m sure are the result of
working so closely with Michael.
I am honoured and proud to be a small part of
such a wonderful organization.
