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Sillars' commitment to Darien’s youths has been her passion and focus for nearly 25 years. In 1990, she became the first director of the newly created Depot Teen Center. It was a unique opportunity to experiment, and she developed innovative ways to create a safe, fun and engaging space for Darien’s youths.
From the Depot, Sillars moved on to be the director of the Darien Youth Commission. For nearly 20 years, she has been spearheading family-friendly activities and programs that unite the community. Her fresh thinking and ability to connect with young people and families have seen Darien celebrate everything from the Community Arts Festival to the Family Concert Series, the Tilley Pond Model Boat Regatta and the Holiday Movie and Gift Drive benefiting Human Services.
Providing healthy, fun and safe options for children and teens is an important and consistent focus for Sillars as she has continued to develop programs for TOPS (Teen Options) and the Youth Commission summer camps.
She provides leadership for a wide variety of evening and weekend activities in partnership with numerous organizations and agencies, including close to 400 volunteers annually.
“Alicia makes it easy for everyone to participate and volunteer,” Geoffrey Ball, chairman of the Youth Commission, said in his nomination of Sillars. “Darien is a better family community because of her efforts.”
Her commitment to young people extends beyond her current role; she is a Depot Adult Board community member, member at large of the YWCA’s Parent Awareness program; member and current co-chair of the Thriving Youth Task Force.
The TYTF is a coalition of parents, professionals and teens in the community committed to the growth of life skill development to minimize risky behaviors.
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