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Social services for teens in the spotlight at talk

April 18, 2008

KALAMAZOO--Local services providing safe haven for troubled teens will be in the spotlight during a presentation Friday, April 25, at Western Michigan University.

Frances Denny, executive director of Catholic Family Services, will give an overview of The ARK Services for Youth as part of the Keystone Community Bank Breakfast Speaker Series. Her talk, titled "The ARK: Somewhere to Run," begins at 8 a.m. in the Dean's Conference Room of Schneider Hall, home of the Haworth College of Business. Denny's presentation, the seventh in the Keystone Series for the 2007-08 academic year, is free and open to the public.

The ARK provides an around-the-clock, voluntary, short-term crisis intervention shelter for youths ages 10-17 who are experiencing difficulties in their relationships or facing any of a variety of crises, including homelessness. The shelter serves youths at no charge from Allegan, Barry, Branch, Calhoun, Kalamazoo and St. Joseph counties. It also provides respite care, counseling services and a 24-hour, toll-free crisis line.

Catholic Family Services provides additional services for teens, including the Transitional Living Program for young people who are homeless or in danger of becoming homeless and the Youth in Transition Program for youths exiting the foster care system.

Denny holds a master's degree in business administration from WMU and a master's in social work from the University of Pittsburgh, as well as a bachelor of arts in social welfare from West Chester University. She began her work in child welfare as a foster care worker and investigated child abuse and neglect complaints. After graduate school, she worked as a family therapist and is now celebrating her 20th year with Catholic Family Services, leading the agency to expand and develop its programs.

The Keystone Community Bank Breakfast Speaker Series is underwritten by Keystone Community Bank. The series provides an opportunity for the local community to hear prominent business leaders, WMU faculty, alumni and friends of the Haworth College of Business discuss current business issues and corporate strategies as well as key information regarding the continuing progress of the business college.

Parking is available in the Fetzer Center parking lot. Reservations are required and may be made by calling the dean's office at (269) 387-5050. A complimentary breakfast will be available beginning at 7:30 a.m.

Media contact: Mark Schwerin, (269) 387-8400, mark.schwerin@wmich.edu

WMU News
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