On Sunday, May 3rd, Black Westchester interviewed Joanne Dunn, the first woman to be named executive director of The Youth Shelter Program of Westchester, since its incorporation in 1975. Ms. Joanne Dunn has worked to improve the lives of troubled youths in Westchester, For the past two decades.

The Mount Vernon based organization was conceived by a Westchester judge and school teacher who recognized the need for early intervention in the lives of young offenders, Youth Shelter Program of Westchester has been providing a home-like alternative to jail for young men, for over 40 years, with great results.

Prior to joining Youth Shelter, Ms. Dunn spent 12 years with Westhab Inc. where she eventually became Assistant Vice President of Youth and Employment Services. Highlights of her time at Westhab include placing over 1,927 individuals into employment and 550 placed in 2018 alone, while also serving over 2000 youth through Westhab’s comprehensive year round youth programs. She was instrumental in Westhab’s expansion of programming into 3 of the 5 boroughs of New York City and 5 counties (Ulster, Dutchess, Rockland, Sullivan and Orange) in the Hudson Valley.

Prior to her work at Westhab, Joanne worked with the City of Peekskill Youth Bureau to provide overall leadership and direction to the Workforce Investment Act Out-of-School Youth program. Black Westchester is proud to showcase and highlight Ms. Dunn, a true Unsung Shero!!!