Bacon Street has chosen a new executive director to follow in the footsteps William “Sandy” Fagan, who stepped down after 37 years leading the nonprofit that helps teenagers struggling with substance abuse or mental health issues.
Kimberly Dellinger, who has a bachelor’s degree in education from Northern Arizona University and a master’s of education in college student personnel administration from James Madison University, started in the role March 2.
Dellinger served as the executive director for the Milton Community Youth Coalition, an organization that promotes teens engaging in substance-free activities, in Vermont before taking the position with Bacon Street.
The opportunity to move to Williamsburg was one Dellinger felt she and her family could not pass up. She said she wanted to move her family down to the Historic Triangle so her kids could be closer to their grandparents, who live in Newport News.
When looking for jobs in the area, Dellinger saw Bacon Street as a “great opportunity” to make a difference with the youth in the Williamsburg area.
As an outsider to the organization that has served Historic Triangle youths struggling with substance abuse and mental health issues for more than 40 years, Dellinger thinks Bacon Street is at a turning point and looks to expand the offered services.
“We mostly provide services in clinical treatments in adolescents,” she said. “I’m interested in extending our programs into the area of prevention so we can help promote youth making healthy choices.”
Prevention programs can include after-school programs, mentoring and youth centers, Dellinger said.
Dellinger will propose a one-year action plan to the Bacon Street Board of Directors in April that looks to reshape the organization.
Until then, Dellinger will continue learning the ropes of the organization so she can help Bacon Street continue to serve the community as it has done since 1971.
