No Lying! COBYS Is Turning 30 - COBYS Family Services

After 30 Years: Remembering COBYS’ BeginningsWhile COBYS Family Services iscelebrating its 30th anniversaryin 2010, the organization’s originsactually extend back into theearly 1970s.COBYS grew out of twoqueries that came to the 1972Church of the Brethren AtlanticNortheast District Conference.Alarmed by signs of familybreakdown, the Mechanic Groveand East Petersburgcongregations challenged thechurch to respond. Specificissues raised in the queries werethe need for “counseling servicessympathetic to the Christianperspective” and “care foremotionally disturbed childrenand youth.”The “Mental Health TaskCommittee” appointed toaddress these concerns exploreda variety of options over severalyears, including establishing aresidential facility to care fortroubled youth and working inpartnership with the MennoniterunPhilhaven Hospital to offerservices.By 1979, focus had shifted tocreating a “therapeutic fostercare program for young peoplewith emotional and behavioralproblems.” Mennonite mentalhealth professionals Carl & LoisFrey were employed in 1979 todraft by-laws, begin establishingEarly COBYS Boardmembers (from left)Mary K. Graver, SaraKoser, John Gibbel,Betty Lou Nyce, AlbertSauls, Victor Ziegler,and Amos Cunningham(rear), father of COBYSExecutive DirectorMark Cunningham.relationships with other agencies,and generally get the programup and running. The result was anew organization called Churchof the Brethren Youth Services(COBYS). (The name later waschanged to COBYS FamilyServices to reflect a broadeningrange of programs.)When the Freys resigned inJune 1980 to dedicate(continued on back page)Fun Walk Slated for May 2between grand prizes of a night’sstay for two at Willow ValleyResort, near Lancaster and twotickets to Sight & Sound Theatre’snew production, Joseph. (Grandprizes subject to change.)Participants can earn additionalprizes by raising certain levels ofRaindampenedspirits,attendance, anddollars raised atthe 2009 FamilyFun Walk.Planners arelooking for arebound in allthree categoriesat this year’sevent on May 2.support. All participants receivea free t-shirt and are eligible fordoor prizes.Costs of the event areunderwritten by grants from theWal-Mart Foundation and theBauman Family Fruit Butters andCider, Sassamansville. Additionalbusiness sponsors and door prizedonors are being sought.Printable Family Fun Walkbrochures with sponsor sheets willbe mailed in early March andalso will be available atwww.cobys.org/news.htm. Formore information, contact DonFitzkee at 800-452-6517 ordon@cobys.org.Fostering Hope 5