2020 Recipient of the Jane Lobdell Youth Advocacy & Action Award

The Naugatuck Youth Services Board of Directors & Staff made this announcement on their

Facebook page.

Naugatuck, CT - The Naugatuck Youth Services Board of Directors and Staff are excited to announce the 2020 recipient of the Jane Lobdell Youth Advocacy & Action Award.

This recognition is awarded annually to a member of the Naugatuck community who has made a significant impact through advocacy and/or action on behalf of youth development, family enrichment and/or a healthy community. It is named in honor of the late Jane Lobdell, who served as Director of Naugatuck Youth & Family Services for nineteen years as a borough employee, and was well known for her tireless advocacy and dedication to her work benefitting youth in our town. The Board of Directors & staff of the non-profit Naugatuck Youth Services, Inc., is proud to honor those who continue to go above and beyond to do the work that is the legacy of Jane Lobdell here in Naugatuck.

We are thrilled to announce KATE MURPHY as the recipient of the 2020 Jane Lobdell Youth Advocacy & Action Award. Kate has been a steadfast advocate for Naugatuck youth both in her professional role as the Sodexo Food Services Director, and has played a key role in ensuring that not some but ALL of Naugatuck’s children have access to healthy breakfast and lunch, not just during the school year, but all year long, and personally, as a community volunteer for the Naugatuck Social Services Network & Naugatuck Partnership for Children, helping with social media for Step Up Naugy: Naugatuck's Prevention Coalition, and with Naugatuck Youth Services, particularly in her leadership of Girls on the Run Programs here in Naugatuck.

In 2015, Kate became one of our first Girls on the Run coaches, and since then has not only continued in her role as “Coach Kate” but has worked tirelessly to recruit coaches, raise scholarship funds, and partner with schools to ensure that every Naugatuck girl can participate in the self-esteem and confidence building program. Over 200 Naugatuck girls have participated in Girls on the Run, largely thanks to Kate’s efforts. Last year, she took on an additional role with Girls on the Run Greater Hartford, by becoming a Coach Trainer, and Kate has now trained dozens of women to become leaders in this program.

Kate is a crucial, important, and enthusiastic contributor to our community, and all of her efforts have made Naugatuck a stronger, healthier place for kids to grow up. Naugatuck Youth Services could not be luckier to have Kate as an AWESOME volunteer and we are honored to work with her and give her this award.

The award will be presented to Kate Murphy at the Keep Being Awesome Celebration, taking place at The Gem Room at 1:00pm on Sunday, March 8, 2020. Please join us to celebrate! Tickets are available for purchase here: https://naugatuckyouthservices.networkforgood.com/…/17698-k…