Meet Mary Lu O'Halloran

Winner of the 2009 William D. Barth Award 

TriCity Family Services presented the 25th Annual William D. Barth Award on  October 22, 2009 to Mary Lu O'Halloran of Geneva.

Mary Lu was an involved parent in the schools, however, a crisis within her family made her realize that families needed more support and education in order to raise healthy children.  Mary Lu founded the Geneva Coalition for Youth and has served as its leader and spokesperson for the past 13 years.

The Geneva Coalition for Youth, according to its mission, "collaborates with all segments of the community to promote conditions that help our youth make healthy lifestyle choices."  Mary Lu advocated for the Coalition not only to include PTO representatives, but the police and community organizations like TriCity Family Services and Breaking Free.  The Coalition also includes the park district, city government, the fire department, the police department, the faith community, the board of education and the chamber of commerce.

Mary Lu pioneered Red Ribbon Week in Geneva, moving it out of the schools and into the entire community.  She chaired Red Ribbon Week in Geneva for fifteen years.  She also served as the co-facilitator of the Geneva Task Force for Safety and Well-Being for Geneva Youth.  She developed community forums and the Parent University.  She was instrumental in bringing the Skate Park to Geneva, establishing Post Prom activities for the high school and most recently, creating the Battle of the Bands along with the Geneva Park District during the week of Swedish Days.  She has also been very involved in the Drug Court and Drug Court graduations, achieving donations of homemade cookies for graduates and sending them letters of congratulations.  This effort lets Drug Court graduates know that the community cares about them and their success.

Mary Lu is officially retiring from the Coalition this year.  Today, the Geneva Coalition for Youth remains only one of a handful of coalitions left in the entire country thanks to her determination, dedication and leadership.  Her children have long since grown up and out of Geneva, but she has remained in leadership at the Geneva Coalition out of dedication to all the community's children.  Mary Lu always refused to call herself the President of the Geneva Coalition for Youth.  Instead, she has worked tirelessly to equally encourage everyone's participation and contributions.  She has served as an outstanding role model for the next generation of Geneva Coalition members and is widely admired for being a mother who not only saw to the safety and health of her own children, but who embraced all of Geneva's children and their physical, emotional and social needs.  TriCity Family Services is honored to present her with the 2009 William D. Barth Award and induct her into the distinguished ranks of William D. Barth Award winners.

Mary Lu was nominated for this award by Jill Schultz and Cathi Ostrowski, members of the Geneva Coalition for Youth.

Established in 1985, the William D. Barth Award recognizes one individual who has made a significant and positive impact, through human service, on the central Kane County area.  The award was created to honor the legacy of William D. Barth, a founder of TriCity Family Services and a dedicated community leader.  

Former Barth Award Winners are:

2008:  Pam Mann
2007: Doris Hunt
2006: Cris Anderson
2005: Steve Lillie
2004: Peg Halladay
2003: Vernon Oie
2002: Melinda Hinners
2001: Darlene Marcusson
2000: Betsy Penny
1999: Marjorie Hissong
1998: Robert Hawse
1997: Carol Rosene
1996: Ralph and Lucile Little
1995: Vernon Guynn
1994: Howard Wallin
1993: James Abbot
1992: Joanne Hansen
1991: Max Hunt
1990: Russell Forkins
1989: Nellie Wood
1988: Nancy Temple
1987: Glen Haines
1986: Jim McCausland
1985: Frank Burgess