27 Years of Love & Kindness
Following an unprecedented rash of teen suicides in the early 90’s, a group of concerned citizens united the town around a common cause — the betterment, safety, and care of Andover’s youth. In the 27 years since being hired as the Director of the Andover Youth Services, Bill Fahey has dedicated his life to this cause.
It is with a heavy heart that we announce that the entire Andover Youth Services staff have resigned from AYS today. Firstly, we have the utmost respect for Bill, Glenn, Tony, Jackie, Neal, Charlie, Geoff and the entire summer staff. You all are the very definition of courage, grit, moxie, and most importantly, leadership. So thank you for your dedication to the youth of Andover.
Today, the staff sent in their resignations detailing the toxic work environment fueled by town manager Andrew Flanagan. Flanagan has used his position of power and influence to bully town employees, residents, and the youth of Andover. Both Andrew Flanagan and Director of Community Services Jemma Lambert have directly threatened AYS staff. Once again, another town department falls victim to Flanagan’s campaign of fear. Andover, how long are we going to put up with this?
We support the AYS staff and wholly denounce the smear campaign against Bill Fahey and AYS. AYS gave a voice to the youth and now that voice is silenced. AYS has been unethically destroyed by the town manager Andrew Flanagan and this will not be his last action.
AYS programs will not continue with the soul that we expect. If you are disappointed, angry, or pissed off, here is your personal invitation to the next select board meeting September 13th, 7pm. #SpeakYourTruth to Chairman of the Select Board Chris Huntress but remember: your voice is only worth 2 minutes to them.
See you there.
Andover Youth Services
1994 - 2021
For the latest updates, join the Independent Andover Youth Strategic Council Facebook group.
How it started.
The Andover Youth Services was created to respond to the community's need for quality programs and services for its young people. In 1993, a diverse cross-section of community groups came together to implement a dynamic youth program that would effectively and consistently address the ongoing needs of the young people in the Town of Andover. The community group believed that a solid Youth Services program could comprehensively address the issues of the youth population. In January 1994, Andover Youth Services (AYS) was formed under the Department of Community Services within the Town of Andover. This new division was established to address the need for an increase in recreational, educational, social, and support programs for the middle school and high school populations within the community. AYS provides the youth of Andover with programs, services, and activities throughout the school year. The AYS provides a direct link that connects youth to their community.
Andover's young people face many challenges and it is our mission to develop and maintain a program that has the ability to be flexible and encourages all youth to use their creativity and spontaneity in positive ways. With connections to school guidance departments, the police, church groups, local human services agencies, merchant organizations, and community volunteers, Andover Youth Services infuses every young person who steps within its doorway with a sense of ownership, belonging, acceptance, and purpose. No idea is too "out of the box" to be considered. No venture is condemned as foolish. No young person is made to feel the AYS office is only for "those other kinds of kids". How is this accomplished?
In school, students are evaluated and graded according to their abilities. At the Andover Youth Services, programs are undertaken with the knowledge that success is not guaranteed and failure is acceptable. The process is the learning tool and the heart of any Youth Services program. No young person is judged. No one is shamed. No one is bribed to participate. The learning environment is such that the kids "make it happen".
They make it happen because they initiate the ideas. They make it happen because they are offered direction, encouragement, guidance, connection, and resources regardless of social status. Rich kids, middle class kids, and poor kids collaborate and participate side by side in AYS programs. "Who is who" is difficult to determine while hiking on the trails, planning a clothing drive, organizing a concert, or just hanging out at the office. Designed to be adventurous, innovative, creative, and playful, summer, weekend and after school programs offer what all kids want, a chance to be themselves, a chance to be heard, a chance to be directly involved and, ultimately, a place where they belong. AYS receives ideas and concepts directly from the young people themselves and then take these ideas and empowers the youth to make them happen. By interacting alongside young people, whether it is handing out flyers or creating plans for a new youth center, the programs the Youth Services creates and implements are immediate reflections of what the youth want and need.
