Barb Young served the Kalamazoo community in many ways and helped start the University-Community Empowerment Center in the College of Health and Human Services at Western Michigan University. She worked for Kal-Cap, and absolutely loved her work, which no doubt developed into her passion. In time Kal-Cap was integrated with Kalamazoo County Government, and Barb became the acting director, and then director of the Kalamazoo Community Action Agency.
A wonderful, productive supervisor, she did it all, and had a way with those in her charge. Although many reported to her, they served together, side-by-side, like a family in the effort of helping others. Barb liked getting the facts in any given circumstance, and made far reaching decisions within her capacity. She was an integral part of forming programs, and assisted in implementing a community co-op garden, food distribution, home weatherization programs, and a local homeless shelter among others. Within the County, she helped with forming the Head Start program.
To honor Barb and her commitment to Kalamazoo and WMU, friends and faculty have initiated the Barb Young Endowment in the College of Health and Human Services.