December 10, 2012
Shop Talk
Q&A With Beth Folcarelli Of YOU Inc.
Beth Folcarelli, President and CEO, YOU Inc.
By Rick Saia
It's not easy to replace someone who has been the face of an organization for more than four decades. But Beth Folcarelli finds herself in that position as president and CEO of YOU Inc. (Youth Opportunities Upheld), the non-profit child welfare and behavioral health organization serving troubled and at-risk children, adolescents and families. She has taken over for Moe Boisvert, a fixture with the organization since its birth in 1971.
How does a struggling economy impact today's kids?
With programs that rely on government funding, as those resources get tighter, services can diminish for kids. So we've steadily advocated for those resources on a state level. We really work through advocating units (such as the Association for Behavioral Health Care, the Children's League of Massachusetts and Citizens For Juvenile Justice).
Your fiscal 2012 annual report said the organization's financial health improved significantly. In spite of economic challenges, how did that happen?
From a thoughtful strategy. The leadership of this organization … looked at various ways of diversifying funding streams so that there would not be dependence on a sole funding stream. So if you look at the structure of YOU Inc., we're structured in five components. We make sure that we're diversified.
If you had to pick two or three things kids —and families with young kids — need the most today, what are they?
I would say accessible services in their homes, No. 1; qualified practitioners and collaborating systems so that services are not delivered in isolation of their various systems, such as education, health care and behavioral health care. All those systems come together and kind of wrap around the youth and the family to support that unit together.
You mentioned services in the home. Does that provide a greater level of comfort to receiving those services?
There are many families who will not access services if they have to come into a center. There might be some cultural barriers to doing so. There might be a stigma associated with mental health problems, and so there are these sort of social barriers to receiving services. Many times families go unserved because of that. Bringing the services into the home not only helps to engage families, but also from the practitioner's side, gives a very honest picture of what's happening with the family unit.
What can businesses do most to help YOU Inc. succeed at its mission?
We already have a great deal of collaboration from local businesses. We are supported by so many other organizations in the community. I think that we would like to further engage the business community. We oftentimes engage with other nonprofits, but it would be great to have some support from the business community as well.
As far as businesses are concerned, where are you getting good support lately?
Abbott Laboratories. We were one of their preferred providers this year for their United Way campaign. Our board members reflect so many different businesses in the area, from various law firms and Saint-Gobain and a variety of local businesses. We have a lot of support from foundations (including) the Worcester Community Foundation, and banks.
You're following someone who served in the role for more than 40 years. How easy or difficult is that to accomplish?
There are certainly big shoes to fill, but there has been a very strong show of support from the governing body, and also from Moe personally. He is always accessible to me. I use his wisdom frequently.
Video
Beth Folcarelli of Worcester's YOU Inc.
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