About Us

Youth Service Bureaus were started in our country in 1972 with federal Juvenile Justice funds, originally for the prevention of juvenile delinquency. Youth Service Bureaus in CT were established by state statute in 1975 to address the needs of youth.

Tri-Town Youth Services Bureau in Deep River, CT, was founded in 1984 and continues to strive to foster an environment where youth are able to establish strong and positive relationships with family, school, peers, and the community.

Now, Tri-Town Youth Services Bureau is one of the 100 YSBs in the state of CT, which serves 100,000 young people each year. A $50 million budget makes youth service bureaus one of the largest systems in the state for services to youth and families. Tri-Town Youth and Family Services Bureau is proud to uphold the professional standards of CYSA.

Tri-Town Values

Respectful

We respect the families, youth, and community members we work with. We believe in a strength-based clinical philosophy, centered on the individual and/or family.

We believe that all families should have access to resources and services that improve the quality of life, regardless of their ability to pay.

We commit to a high standard of professional ethics and integrity. We are accessible and friendly.

Meet our Staff and Board Members

Mary Boone, Co-President

Mary Boone is an entrepreneur who runs her leadership communication consulting business, Boone Associates, from Essex CT. Her award-winning research includes four books and numerous articles for the trade and business press, including The New York Times, National Public Radio and Harvard Business Review. Mary serves on the boards of Essex Savings Bank and Essex Financial, has volunteered for Public Art for Racial Justice Education, and served as a substitute Sunday School teacher at her church. A strong advocate for mental health awareness, suicide prevention, and inclusive school environments, Mary is deeply dedicated to advancing the goals of Tri-Town Youth Services Bureau. Her son Alex attended Region 4 schools from K-12 and over those 13 years Mary frequently volunteered in the schools in a variety of capacities. Mary’s degrees, an M.A. from the University of Texas at Austin and a B.A. from Wake Forest University, are both in Communication Theory and she received the designation of Senior Fellow from the Western Behavioral Sciences Institute. Mary has been on the Board of Tri-Town since 2019 and has served as co-president since December of 2022

Jan Taigen, Co- President

Jan is a retired educator with diverse experience ranging from pre-school to college. Jan’s work in education began at UConn where she served as the Assistant Director of the Honors Programs advising students and overseeing requirements, followed by Associate Director of the Museum of Natural History planning events and writing texts for exhibits. Her work with students at Museum programs inspired her decision mid-career to pursue her original career goal of classroom teaching and she became a 7th and 8th grade science teacher at a K-8 charter school. As the lead teacher at her school, she also guided the schools’ anti-bullying, kindness, and diversity initiatives, and coordinated the buddy program between older and younger students. That work led to her first project after retirement, writing a handbook of 100+ activities for integrating kindness into the school climate. Jan was an active volunteer when her children were young, serving as a preschool substitute teacher, Girl Scout leader, and PTO leader in numerous roles. She now serves as a member of the Chester Elementary Board of Education and is active in Chester Rotary where she serves as the representative to Valley Interact Club and has spearheaded several projects in the community, including the renovation of Tri-Town Youth Services Hub and Haven rooms in 2018. Jan is the mother of three and the Grammy of seven, so is deeply invested in all ways our actions today matter to our youth and our future. Jan has been on the Board of Tri-Town Youth Services since 2019 and Co-President since December 2022.

Tiffany Zwart, Secretary 2

Tiffany Zwart brings a wealth of expertise from a background in the event planning industry. With a career orchestrating seamless events and meticulously coordinating logistics, Tiffany has honed her skills in the art of organization and precision. Her dedication to creating memorable moments and ensuring every detail is perfect has been the hallmark of her professional journey. Most recently, she’s taken her skills to a digital audience, as the owner and CEO of Lovespun Creative LLC, providing online business management services. Lovespun Creative offers virtual support to professionals and organizations, streamlining daily projects and processes, with a dedication to making businesses more productive, and assisting business owners in being fully present and intentional in their services. Her deeply-rooted commitment to family, community, and service is exemplified in her volunteer work. A true advocate of the community, Ms. Zwart wears multiple hats to make a positive impact. She is a dedicated Rotarian, living by the Rotary motto, “Service before Self,” serving as the Club Membership Chair for the Rotary E-Club of Global Diversity and Environment in Southern CT, USA, fostering a sense of belonging and purpose within the club. Committed to promoting mental health awareness, Ms. Zwart also plays a vital role on the Mental Health Committee for the Rotary, working to reduce stigma and support those in need. Since Fall 2022, Tiffany has been a valuable member of the Tri-Town Youth Services Board, where she contributes to shaping a better future for the younger generation. As the board representative for Friends of Tri-Town, she orchestrates various activities and volunteer opportunities, fostering a sense of community and camaraderie. Further demonstrating her commitment to the community’s well-being, she is actively involved in the Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition, understanding the importance of tackling such issues to create a safer, healthier, and more prosperous environment for all. In addition to her professional and community endeavors, Ms. Zwart is a dedicated volunteer with the Hartford Habitat Women Build project, lending a hand to create safe and affordable housing for those in need. She also devotes her time to the East Coast Canine Rescue. A resident of Deep River, she and her husband are the proud parents of two sons who currently/ recently graduated from the Region 4 school district.

Beebe Miller, Treasurer

I am a retired IT system analyst who lives in Essex. I have been treasurer for many non-profits both in Essex and Greenwich. I was chair of the Greenwich Library Friends board as well as being on the Library Board. I believe in giving back to my community. A math major graduate from Tulane University who came to NYC from New Orleans in 1969 to work for IBM. Once I retired from IBM in 1974 I started my own business of writing software for smaller companies. I retired in 2010. My first husband passed away and I remarried in 1992. Between us we have 4 grown children and 8 grandchildren. I have lived in Essex since 2007 and have been a member of Tri-Town board since March of 2023.

Gail Stanton

Gail Stanton is a retired English professor and Learning Disabilities Specialist who spent the last 25 years of her career at Manchester Community College. She is committed to developing programs that support underserved populations. In addition to designing and teaching courses in developmental education for nontraditional learners, she worked with students who had learning, physical and psychiatric disabilities. While at MCC, she developed a comprehensive program to support students with Autism Spectrum Disorders, which included parent outreach and training. She also created a mentoring program for college students with learning disabilities as well as an internship program through the Office of Disability Services. Gail received her B.A in Special Education and M.A. in Human Resource Technology from American International College. She has worked with youth from kindergarten through college level. She served on the board for Valley Shore YMCA in Westbrook. Currently she is a member of Chester’s Sustainability Committee. Gail has been on the board of Tri-Town since 2022 and has served as co-chair of the Personnel Committee and a member of the Suicide Prevention Committee.

Peter H. Charbonnier

Peter has lived in Essex nearly his entire life, except when away at school. He went through Essex Elementary School as did his wife and two kids, one of whom graduated from Valley in 2023 and the other is a Freshman there now. After graduating from law school and a brief stint in the legal realm, he took a seven-year sabbatical, during which he created and ran Ken’s Coffeehouse and Village Provision Company in Essex. After selling the businesses he has been operating a solo legal practice in Chester since 2001.