Dan

In the late 1960s, I was attending Newport Catholic High School and living on the West End of Newport with my family as the middle child (11th) of 21 kids.

Father Neuroth put together an unofficial Junior Board and appointed me Junior Board President for the newly created Brighton Street Center, now known as Brighton Center. My job was to recruit other young people to be the workforce. We sold raffle tickets, cleaned, and anything else that needed to be done. At the time I was also lifeguarding during the summer while helping out at the Center. 

My most fond memory of Brighton Center is from my junior year of high school. That year, sadly my father passed away and since it was always a tradition in my house for the older kids to get together and do something special for my mom, we stayed up late on Christmas Eve finishing a kitchen renovation for her. I will never forget the image of a young Bob Brewster and another gentleman walking up our driveway with a fruit basket. They knew our father had died and wanted to give us something. It was that special thought that Brighton Center bestowed upon our family. 

I grew up quick after my dad passed away and took a leadership role within the family often serving as the go-between with the younger and older siblings. Negotiating became a very important leadership skill I developed. While helping at Brighton Center and lifeguarding during the summer, I also started working at First National Bank, now US Bank, in the mail room. 

My senior year of high school, I went to pay the taxes on our house and noticed an application for money to make improvements to our home through Community Development Block money. We desperately needed a new roof. I took the application down to Bob Brewster for clarification and he spent an hour helping me fill it out. I was so excited when we were approved for the money. It was around Thanksgiving and the money had to be used by the end of the year. The neighbors all pitched in and help us put a new roof on in the bitter cold. 

After high school, I started attending Northern Kentucky University while continuing to work at the Bank and lost touch with Brighton Center until 2008 when I received a call to be on the Board. It was an easy decision to get involved again. 

The most important thing about leadership is focusing on the next generation to mentor and get them ready as leaders. I’ll take as much time as possible with people to develop their leadership skills, help them navigate, and embrace the idea that they are in charge or will be soon.

I am so proud of Brighton Center’s professionalism and roots here in Newport. My goal after retirement is to move back to Newport. It’s in my blood. I am most impressed with the diversity of programs and collaborations of the programs. Northern Kentucky Scholar House is a great example of that in creating an environment for single parents with a focus on education, affordable housing, and on-site childcare. I’ve also never seen a Board that after their term limit they come back. It speaks highly to the mission. People want to be connected and love the mission. 

My message to the community about Brighton Center is that I would want people to get involved and be an ambassador for Brighton Center. It means so much more. Give to Brighton Center. Help spread the word. Come down and be a mentor to one person here. At least get involved by supporting Brighton Center in some way. Consider a donation  or create a legacy like I have with a Planned Gift so that Brighton Center will continue to help those generations ahead of us. I will never forget Bob Brewster walking up to our yard with that basket of fruit. It was the first Christmas without our dad. The fact that a non-family member thought of us was so cool.