Recent Darien Selectman Susan Marks, a Laurel House board director, former Laurel House “Town Champion,” will be honored by the YWCA of Darien/Norwalk for their 2020 Women of Distinction Award in the fall.
Contributed photo
Susan Marks will be honored by the YWCA of Darien/Norwalk for its 2020 Women of Distinction Award in the fall.
— an announcement from Resources to Recover, Laurel House and the YWCA of Darien/Norwalk
Susan is a model for engagement in the community for strengthening families and advancing opportunity for women and girls. She has not only promoted the causes of family wellness and women’s mental and physical health, but engages others in the causes she promotes with her energetic and personable approach.
Susan’s work on the Laurel House Board of Directors includes increasing access to mental health services to individuals in Darien and to their families. She has actively promoted events in Darien, which give visibility to expert mental health service and encourages families to talk about mental health as a cause that affects every family.
Through her years of dedicated work in School PTOs, the Council of Darien School Parents, and in Town Government, Susan has been on the front line of issues affecting the delivery of education and economic opportunity.
Her current work as Vice-Chair of the Thriving Youth Task Force continues Susan’s commitment to increasing opportunities for wellness and advancement for girls, women and for the wellbeing of families.
Among Susan’s numerous current and prior community leadership roles are: Vice-Chair Thriving Youth Task Force; Darien 2020 Bicentennial Coordinator; Board of Selectman; Vice-Chair Republican Town Committee and multi-term Committee member.
She has also recruited many individuals to volunteer on commissions and boards, modeling volunteerism and engagement in the community. She led numerous successful campaigns to elect the First Selectman and State Representative and ensure the continuity of effective leadership.
About Resources to Recover and Laurel House Inc.
The core purpose of the Resources to Recover family of services is: early intervention, social inclusion and recovery. Its services and programs include: Laurel House; Thinking Well (Cognitive Remediation) and www.rtor.org, a gateway website to mental health resources.
Laurel House’s evidence-based programs include: Supported Education, Supported Employment, Skill Building Workshops and Supportive Housing. Laurel House, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, helps individuals and families achieve and sustain mental health to lead fulfilling lives in the community.
It has been in operation since 1984 and serves 8 towns in lower Fairfield County from Greenwich to Westport. For more information visit www.laurelhouse.net and www.rtor.org.