Over the past 30 years,
Y.O.U., Inc. has formed bonds with many of Worcester's leading corporations. None,
however, come close to the multi-faceted relationship we have had with Norton Company.
Norton Company and its employees have had a long involvement with
Y.O.U., Inc. Dating back to Y.O.U., Inc.'s inception, Norton's (then) President & CEO,
Robert Cushman, was instrumental in the formation of Worcester's Juvenile Court and Youth
Opportunities Upheld. He later appointed a member of his own staff, Chuck Perkett, as our
treasurer, and Chuck served in that capacity for a number of years. That role was passed
on to Jeffrey Beane, another Norton executive, who volunteered his services to Y.O.U.,
Inc. for many years. Several other Norton management staff went on to serve Y.O.U., Inc.
over the years: George Bernardin as President of the Board; Wally Whitney, Dennis Baker
and Fairman Cowan all as active Incorporators and volunteers. In addition, we have had
several Norton Company employees as foster parents and mentors for young clients.
Norton Company has supported Y.O.U., Inc. not only with human
resources, but with financial resources as well. Norton has a well-deserved reputation for
its philanthropic role in the Worcester non-profit community, and Y.O.U., Inc. is one of
the many charities to benefit.
Since Y.O.U., Inc.'s incorporation in 1971, the Norton Company
Foundation and plant community has donated $68,600 to the agency for both program
operations and capital projects. In 1997 alone, Norton contributed $522,835 to charities
involved in human services, education, community and the arts. Norton is also the single
largest donor to the United Way of Central Massachusetts. Since being taken over in 1990
by Saint-Gobain, Norton has pushed to remain a philanthropic leader. Norton Company has
set an example by their actions for other companies to emulate. Y.O.U., Inc. is extremely
fortunate to have had so many friends at Norton over the years, and we applaud and
appreciate their commitment to Worcester and its youth.
