Mary Green recognized for her dedication to youth served by Harris County Protective Services
HOUSTON –Mary Green, director of Transitional Services for Harris County Protective Services (HCPS), is being recognized today with the June Bucy Award for Excellence from Texas Network of Youth Services (TNOYS). TNOYS, which is dedicated to supporting critical services for Texas youth and their families, presented the award at its 33rd annual statewide conference at the Westin Galleria, in recognition of the leadership and commitment to excellence Green has displayed in her work at HCPS.
“TNOYS is committed not only to assisting — but also empowering — young people, and Mary’s work is a great example of that,” said Christine Gendron, executive director of TNOYS. “She has been involved in youth services for many years, always has a wonderful attitude, and has led her organization in strengthening its engagement of youth as partners.”
At a time when the systems that serve Texas’ most vulnerable young people are facing critical challenges, committed professionals like Green are essential to ensuring youth get the support and encouragement they need to succeed. Since 2010, Green has been with the HAY Center, which is dedicated to empowering current and former foster care youth, and in her role as director of Transitional Services for HCPS, she is specifically focused on helping youth make a successful transition to adulthood as they age out of the foster care system – which is not always easy for those without a strong family support network.
The June Bucy Award for Excellence recognizes TNOYS member agency executive directors and upper level managers and supervisors who have achieved program excellence, shown leadership and made significant contributions to the field of youth services in the state or across the nation. It is named in honor of June Bucy, former executive director of the National Network for Youth, and one of the guiding forces behind the youth services network.
The award is being presented to Green during a reception at TNOYS’ conference, which is attended each year by hundreds of youth services professionals from across the state and the nation. Along with Green, TNOYS is also recognizing other individuals and organizations in Texas who have shown leadership and dedication in serving youth, including Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, the Community Youth Outreach Alliance, Yannin Marquez of Texas Panhandle Centers and Cathy Hamilton of San Antonio Threads. All awardees are highly deserving of the honor and embody the conference’s theme of being “Stronger Together.”
About Texas Network of Youth Services (TNOYS)
For more than 30 years, TNOYS has been the leading organization working to enhance services for Texas youth who are homeless, in foster care, or at risk, and to support the providers who care for them. The organization takes a comprehensive systems change approach to enhancing critical services for youth and families, focusing on policy advocacy, training and program development for providers, and youth engagement. To learn more about the organization, visitwww.tnoys.org.
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