A quarter-century of caring came to a conclusion at theROC Youth Services last week.

If outgoing Executive Director Darlene Thompson has her wish, though, her work helping local children will continue. It is her legacy to this community.

Ms. Thompson retired on June 12. Her tenure ends a 25-year connection with the local youth organization she helped found in 2000 alongside her mother, Marilyn Crowe, together with many supportive family and friends passionate about supporting County Youth. 

She eventually became the first Board Chair and then theROC’s first Executive Director in 2010, serving for the next 14 years. Since then, she has led theROC through significant growth and accomplishments with unwavering passion and devotion for the well-being of local young people.

“Under Darlene’s leadership, theROC has fostered strong relationships with community partners, emphasizing the importance of collaborative community engagement, which is critical to ensuring positive and successful outcomes for youth. Darlene’s commitment to the success of theROC has been a model of service that will be remembered and honoured for years to come,” said theROC Board Chair Alison Kelly.

The positive impact Ms. Thompson made on kids and young adults during her tenure is incalculable. Over the past 25 years, she’s played a role in every aspect of the organization and acknowledged she’s just about seen it all during her involvement with theROC.

“That impact has never been lost on me because I’ve witnessed the positive transformation every day and every month and every year. Seeing whole new generations of children succeeding and becoming important parts of Prince Edward County and the communities outside our doors has been extremely fulfilling,” Ms. Thompson told the Gazette.

She called it an honour and joy to help shape and mold young people for the past quarter century, adding she didn’t take this vital task on alone. Dedicated staff, legions of volunteers and scores of sponsors and community partners helped to make the organization the beacon of support, engagement and affirmation it is today.

She said young people are facing new and growing challenges every day and implored staff to continue to make sure everyone coming through the doors for the lunch program or after-school activities have at least one positive interaction they can take home with them.

“Just a smile, a friendly tap on the shoulder, a kind word can mean so much to a student and we will always remember that,” she said. “I’m so grateful for the entire experience and all the challenges we’ve met through the years but it’s been such a fun time as well. The enjoyment of interacting with kids and watching them grow and learn has kept me coming back year after year.”

Shannon Collins, theROC’s Youth Inclusion Program Case Manager, is now acting Executive Director. A graduate of Brock University with a Bachelor of Art in Psychology, Ms. Collins has over a decade of social work experience, working for such organizations as Highland Shores Children’s Aid Society and Family and Children Services of Frontenac, Lennox and Addington.

The Prince Edward County native has significant experience working with youth and families struggling with mental illness, addiction and homelessness and extensive training in supporting youth who have been or are at risk of being subject to sexual exploitation. Ms. Kelly said Ms. Collins’s in-depth knowledge of youth struggles in the community, theROC programs and services, and her demonstrable commitment to the mission and values of theROC will ensure that the organization continues to run smoothly during this time of transition.

“Shannon’s leadership will be vital during the coming transition while theROC’s Board of Directors establishes its procedure for recruiting a permanent Executive Director,” Ms. Kelly said.