Celebrating a Legacy

Western Youth Network shares a 30th Anniversary with Dr. Janice Rienerth in 2015. On Thursday, April 30th at Chetola Resort in Blowing Rock, WYN celebrated the legacy of Dr. Janice Rienerth. Jan is one of the original Co-founding Board Members of WYN, and has served on the Board of Directors since the organization’s inception. 

WYN (then called “Watauga Youth Network”) was founded in 1985 in response to the community’s cry for more local services to youth. Jan recalls the humble beginnings of WYN during the late winter and early spring of 1985: “It’s hard to believe that it’s been 30 years since a group of us sat at a table in the jury deliberation room of the courthouse and conceived the idea of the Watauga Youth Network.”  

Jan will be stepping down from WYN’s Board of Directors effective July 1, 2015, at which point she will transition to the Advisory Board. When asked about her decision to rotate off the Board, she simply replied, “It’s time.”

Jan currently serves as Secretary of the Women’s Fund of the Blue Ridge Board and is a volunteer for Guardian ad Litem program. She worked 40 years at Appalachian State University as a Sociology Professor and retired in 2013. Jan still teaches as an Adjunct Professor. 

“If I had only two words to describe Jan, they would be consistent and kind," said Jennifer Warren, Executive Director. "Jan is the one you can count on to come to every event. Like a loving parent, she shows up and shows her support of you no matter how small or insignificant the event may seem. I clearly remember her being one of the only people who came to a car wash fundraiser the Mentoring Program hosted many years ago. Jan is also one of the kindest persons you'll ever want to meet. She notices when someone needs something, and she is quick to put her financial resources (as well as her wise and compassionate words) towards that need.” 

A few of the highlights from the event at Chetola included a walk down history lane with Ken Suddreth (also Co-founding Board Member) and guest speaker Ron Redmon (former Board Chair). WYN honored Jan with a plaque for her dedication and service and presented her with a gift of a Katie Langley photograph. Guest Denise Presnell (School Social Worker) was surprised to receive the first ever "Jan Rienerth Superhero Award" which will now be presented annually to an individual, like Jan, who has gone above and beyond to make WYN thrive and to serve with unwavering dedication our community's youth. Flower centerpieces were designed and donated by The Wedding Resource Center and were purchased by guests with proceeds benefiting WYN. 

Guests and former Board Members also made contributions in Jan's honor to the WYN Legacy Fund - a permanent endowment fund established to help provide stability and security for the organization over the long term. As incentive to build The WYN Legacy Fund, an anonymous donor has offered to match in 2015 up to $4,000 of gifts made to The WYN Legacy Fund. Thus far, gifts made in Jan's honor total $3,755.

If you would like to make a contribution to The WYN Legacy Fund, please visit http://www.westernyouthnetwork.org/wordpress/the-wyn-legacy-fund