Farmington-Farmington Hills Foundation Seeks New Director

After eight years as director of the Farmington-Farmington Hills Foundation for Youth and Families, Barbara Yuhas is ready to retire.

Almost.

A West Bloomfield resident, Yuhas said her decision to leave after in February is largely the result of health problems. She had surgery for a condition that has affected her spine – and her ability to do the part of her job she enjoys most, getting out to meet with people.

"It's kind of time for a new direction in my life," Yuhas said. "God hasn't told me what that is yet. But in March, I'm going to be looking at volunteer opportunities."

Already, the Foundation board has begun looking for a replacement and has even received some resumes. Yuhas said the new director will be the "face of the Foundation in the community". While things like accounting can be outsourced or done by a volunteer, the new director should be a solid writer and "technologically savvy", she said.

Yuhas feels the Foundation has "grown up" during her 8-year tenure, from an organization that supported just the community's after-school program to have a formal applications process for grants that have gone to organizations ranging from the YMCA to local schools and musical groups.

One of the programs she is particularly proud of is one that puts backpacks filled with food into the hands of school children whose families may not be able to provide meals for them over the weekend. Now in its third year, the program is not yet underway this year, but Yuhas said there are about 500 elementary school children eligible for the program.

It costs about $200 a school year for each child. And while an anonymous donor stepped up this year to match donations up to $20,000, the goal now is to find a way to make that program self-sustainable.

"The backpack program is my heart," Yuhas said, adding she has volunteered to continue helping with it. She may also come back with Mama Duck, the mascot for , which raised about $15,000 this year.

Marlinga and Yuhas bonded after Yuhas' surgery, when Marlinga almost literally moved in to help take care of her good friend, who needed 24-hour care.

"I've told the board if they want Mama Duck, I will come back as her agent," Yuhas joked, "because we love it."

The board will accept applications for the position of executive director through Dec. 1. For a full job description and information about the organization, visit the Foundation's website.