2026 Stamford Citizen Of The Year Announced

STAMFORD, CT — Dr. Maggie Young has been selected as Stamford’s 2026 Citizen of the Year, city officials and the selection committee recently announced.

The honor is presented on behalf of the City of Stamford, the JWV Fred Robbins Post 142, and the Citizen of the Year Selection Committee.

Young was unanimously chosen based on the award’s criteria, which recognize individuals who demonstrate interfaith harmony, uphold high standards of civic responsibility, promote projects for the public welfare, and maintain a meaningful connection to Stamford while making significant contributions to the city.

"Those in our community who have worked with Maggie know her remarkable story, her tireless energy, and her unwavering commitment to helping others improve their lives," said Mayor Caroline Simmons in an announcement. "Through her leadership and compassion, she plays an integral role in making Stamford a safer and stronger place to live. I am proud to join the Committee in recognizing Dr. Maggie Young as this year’s Stamford Citizen of the Year."

Jevera Kaye Hennessey, chair of the Selection Committee, said, "Maggie’s volunteer dedication is testimony to the unique role she has played not only in Stamford but in the State to so many organizations."

In addition to her professional work, Young has volunteered in the Stamford community for the past 40 years, serving on the boards of organizations that provide recovery and mental health services. These include the Connecticut Community for Addiction Recovery and the Governor’s Opioid Settlement Advisory Committee.

She also was instrumental in starting HER Time, a program that supports women recently released from incarceration as they reintegrate into the community.

Young's volunteer work also includes co-facilitating the Stamford Anti-Violence Program with the Stamford Police Department and Domus; teaching DUI classes; volunteering weekly with the mental health program at Stamford Health; serving on the VITA Collaborative of social service agencies; working with Stamford CARES; and facilitating youth prevention workshops in local schools.

Young also founded the Families in Recovery Program when it was housed at Franklin Common and facilitates trainings throughout lower Fairfield County. These include QPR (Question, Persuade and Refer) mental health gatekeeper training, SBIRT (Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment), and Naloxone/Narcan opioid reversal medication training.

According to the announcement, Young’s personal experiences led her to support individuals navigating the early stages of recovery and reentry into the community.

Young will be honored at two events: a plaque-naming ceremony at the Stamford Government Center and the Citizen of the Year Dinner.

The dinner is scheduled for June 2 at the Italian Center of Stamford.

More information on the Citizen of the Year Award can be found here.