Brian Lynch
Brian Lynch is a life-long resident of Branford, whose undertakings have impacted countless Branford residents. He graduated from Branford High School in 1963 and pursued his higher education at University of New Haven (B.S. in Public and Social Administration, 1967) and University of Connecticut (M.S.W., 1969). In 1970, he began in clinical private practice in Branford for children and adults, a practice that he still maintains today.
At about that time the Branford community was devastated by the tragic deaths of several teenagers to suicide and drug- and alcohol-related incidents. While the community grieved, Brian Lynch began something called the Branford Help Line. He organized and trained a small group of volunteers to take calls from those who found themselves in desperate situations.
He handled the calls during the daytime, and each of the volunteers took one night a week to handle calls after hours. At first the Help Line was intended to respond to the needs of teenagers, but it quickly grew to serve a much larger population in need of help throughout the area.
From the beginning, the volunteer staff was overwhelmed with calls and the need for a place to refer callers for counseling. Brian pushed hard for the creation of the Branford Counseling Center, a task not easily accomplished. At first, many felt that Branford didn't need a counseling center. Therefore, Brian, as executive director, and Pat Andriole, chairman of the Board of Directors, had to educate both the community and the town's elected leaders. Many were shocked to learn the statistics relating to drugs, alcohol, suicide, and abuse in Branford. Many did not want to hear their message, but all had to admit that they were correct and that Branford needed a permanent place where those in need could receive help.
In 1978 Brian left his position at the Counseling Center (succeeded by Barbara Gailey) to head the Children's Center located on the old Quinnipiac College campus in Hamden. The oldest child and family service agency in the state (founded in 1833 as the New Haven Orphan Association), the agency has expanded to provide residential treatment for emotionally disturbed youth. In addition it coordinates foster care and provides programs to rehabilitate troubled youth to return to the community. Brian's responsibilities as administrator and manager of this large, multi-service agency include general staff supervision, financial and budgetary management, Board of Directors responsibility, public relations and fundraising, community organization, program development, and labor negotiation. Under his guidance, that agency has grown and changed and had a positive impact on families throughout Southern Connecticut; and Brian's ties to the Branford community remain strong. The first satellite program of the Children's Center was located at the old Branford Hills School-an alternative school where area school systems could send troubled youths to get a fresh start and have an opportunity to develop acceptable behaviors before returning to their own districts. He served on the planning committee for Branford's school-based health center and continues to serve on the board of Branford Counseling Center, of which-in classic reversal of roles-Pat Andriole is now executive director.
In addition to his work at the Children's Center and his community involvement here in Branford, Brian is on the faculty of Gateway Community College, an adjunct faculty member at Southern Connecticut State University, and a field instructor at the University Of Connecticut School Of Social Work. In addition he serves as an expert witness for children's mental health cases and has served on numerous state task forces, especially those involving children, youth, and families, as well as special education. His other awards include Branford Review Citizen of the Year (1974) and Branford Chamber of Commerce Humanitarian of the Year (1991).
Brian and his wife, Palma, are the parents of Damian and Brennan Lynch and Sloane Maymon, and he continues to be in the words of one colleague "one of Branford's finest resources."
At about that time the Branford community was devastated by the tragic deaths of several teenagers to suicide and drug- and alcohol-related incidents. While the community grieved, Brian Lynch began something called the Branford Help Line. He organized and trained a small group of volunteers to take calls from those who found themselves in desperate situations.
He handled the calls during the daytime, and each of the volunteers took one night a week to handle calls after hours. At first the Help Line was intended to respond to the needs of teenagers, but it quickly grew to serve a much larger population in need of help throughout the area.
From the beginning, the volunteer staff was overwhelmed with calls and the need for a place to refer callers for counseling. Brian pushed hard for the creation of the Branford Counseling Center, a task not easily accomplished. At first, many felt that Branford didn't need a counseling center. Therefore, Brian, as executive director, and Pat Andriole, chairman of the Board of Directors, had to educate both the community and the town's elected leaders. Many were shocked to learn the statistics relating to drugs, alcohol, suicide, and abuse in Branford. Many did not want to hear their message, but all had to admit that they were correct and that Branford needed a permanent place where those in need could receive help.
In 1978 Brian left his position at the Counseling Center (succeeded by Barbara Gailey) to head the Children's Center located on the old Quinnipiac College campus in Hamden. The oldest child and family service agency in the state (founded in 1833 as the New Haven Orphan Association), the agency has expanded to provide residential treatment for emotionally disturbed youth. In addition it coordinates foster care and provides programs to rehabilitate troubled youth to return to the community. Brian's responsibilities as administrator and manager of this large, multi-service agency include general staff supervision, financial and budgetary management, Board of Directors responsibility, public relations and fundraising, community organization, program development, and labor negotiation. Under his guidance, that agency has grown and changed and had a positive impact on families throughout Southern Connecticut; and Brian's ties to the Branford community remain strong. The first satellite program of the Children's Center was located at the old Branford Hills School-an alternative school where area school systems could send troubled youths to get a fresh start and have an opportunity to develop acceptable behaviors before returning to their own districts. He served on the planning committee for Branford's school-based health center and continues to serve on the board of Branford Counseling Center, of which-in classic reversal of roles-Pat Andriole is now executive director.
In addition to his work at the Children's Center and his community involvement here in Branford, Brian is on the faculty of Gateway Community College, an adjunct faculty member at Southern Connecticut State University, and a field instructor at the University Of Connecticut School Of Social Work. In addition he serves as an expert witness for children's mental health cases and has served on numerous state task forces, especially those involving children, youth, and families, as well as special education. His other awards include Branford Review Citizen of the Year (1974) and Branford Chamber of Commerce Humanitarian of the Year (1991).
Brian and his wife, Palma, are the parents of Damian and Brennan Lynch and Sloane Maymon, and he continues to be in the words of one colleague "one of Branford's finest resources."