Bruce Dyer, Westbrook High School substance abuse counselor, has received a special award for his service to the community.
At the March 3 Mission Possible Teen Center benefit gala, an award, presented at the black-tie event by Westbrook Police Chief Paul McCarthy, was in honor of Dyer’s efforts in helping to create the teen center nine years ago. It will be named after Dyer and presented annually to Westbrook residents who provide special services to the city’s youth.
Of receiving the award, Dyer was characteristically modest but thankful.
“I am humbled in the acceptance of this award, for I know how many contributed countless hours in the development of the center and continue in their support of Mission Possible,” he said.
For almost a decade, the center has provided a place where teens can engage in activities when not in school, develop mentoring relationships and have a support system outside of their families.
McCarthy is thankful to Dyer for being the driving force behind the creation of the teen center, not only approaching him with the idea, but also leading the group of Westbrook residents that launched it.
McCarthy said he worked with Dyer and about 20 other people for two years to get the teen center off the ground.
“It was a really daunting task,” McCarthy said of the two years he worked with Dyer and others to create the center. “And Bruce led us through that and kept us focused. I don’t think we could have picked a better person to name the award after.”
Dyer said creating the teen center was something the community needed and something he was happy to do.
“It was such a joy for me to play a role in the development of the center, envisioning the concept, making calls and getting people together to talk about the possibility of creating a place for Westbrook kids to hang out,” said Dyer.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
