BRATTLEBORO 1/31/2013 – After nearly 20 years of service and dedication to Brattleboro Area Affordable Housing (BAAH), Byron Stookey (the Board’s founder), retired from the organization’s volunteer board in November 2013.
Stookey – described by his colleagues as steadfast, tenacious, unyielding, determined, inspirational, resolute, and meticulous – led BAAH from its infancy in 1995 to a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization serving greater-Brattleboro with a number of initiatives, including three current programs.
1 The Save Our Homes loan program makes no-interest loans to people facing housing emergencies.
2. The Apartments-in-Homes program helps homeowners who have under-utilized space in their homes create a modest and affordable apartment for rental.
3. The Mobile Homes Loan Program makes low-interest loans to Tri-Park residents for repairs or improvements to their mobile homes.
BAAH also advocates with the town and the State for policies and programs which support housing affordable to the people who do the bedrock work of the community.
In a show of admiration and gratitude, the BAAH Board has created the Byron Stookey Scholarship Award, an annual prize to be awarded for the first time to a member of the graduating class of 2014 at Brattleboro Union High School. The Board acknowledged the Scholarship to Stookey at a dinner in his honor on January 15, and invited past Board members and Stookey supporters to make contributions to the Scholarship fund.
In an email thanking the Board, Stookey – for whom the entire scheme was a surprise – responded, “I was overwhelmed by [the] party . . . . especially by the amazing scholarship pledge! Nothing could please me more than to help a high school student who has worked hard and cared about others. If the scholarship could be awarded even once, I’d be overjoyed!” to which he added, “Now get back to work!”
The Byron Stookey Scholarship Award will be awarded annually to a deserving college-bound BUHS graduate who has innovative ideas and/or compelling projects to enhance the Brattleboro community. Applicants should demonstrate a drive that, like Stookey, exemplifies social justice and support for our local community.
Contributions to the Byron Stookey Scholarship Award Fund will be gratefully accepted. Checks (payable to BAAH with “Scholarship” in the memo line) should be mailed to BAAH, PO Box 1284, Brattleboro, VT 05302.
Photo caption: “BAAH co-founder Ben Coplan (right) congratulates Stookey at a celebration in his honor on January 15th. The BAAH Board is honoring Stookey – for nearly 20 years of service and leadership to the all-volunteer organization – with an annual scholarship award to a deserving college-bound BUHS graduate.”
Libby Bennett
Development Director
Morningside Shelter
81 Royal Road | PO Box 370
Brattleboro, VT 05302
P: (802) 257-0066 x101
F: (802) 257-0286
lbennett@morningsideshelter.org
Bravo
Byron Stookey is deserving of every honor we can bestow. A long and happy retirement to him.