RFB&D Honors Anne Young Of Skillman

To many Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic (RFB&D) volunteers, Anne Young of Skillman personifies RFB&D. She has left an indelible mark on the entire organization, serving as Princeton Studio Director for 15 years and as the New Jersey Unit's first Executive Director in 1997 and 1998.

Young was one of the individuals and institutions honored at the New Jersey Unit's 50th Anniversary Gala, held on Thursday, April 17 at the Hyatt Regency Princeton.

Many of the best practices adopted by RFB&D studios across the country were initiated during Young's time at the helm of the Princeton studio. The unit began its educational outreach efforts in schools throughout the Garden State during Young's tenure as Executive Director.

RFB&D is the nation's educational library serving people who cannot effectively read standard print because of visual impairment, dyslexia or other physical disability. The nonprofit volunteer organization's mission is to create opportunities for individual success by providing, and promoting the effective use of, accessible educational materials.

Since retiring, Young has continued with the unit as a volunteer, reading, directing other readers, teaching new volunteers and serving on the Development Committee. She also volunteers for the Princeton University Art Museum and is a member of the Nassau Presbyterian Church.

Young lives in Skillman with her husband of 42 years, Kenneth Young. Their son Alasdair, his wife Paige and grandson Cameron live in Glasgow, Scotland. Their daughter Gwyneth lives in Washington State.

Also being honored for their service to the unit were Dr. James and Peg Hastings of Plainsboro, Catherine D. Brown of Princeton, Educational Testing Service (ETS) of Princeton, Avaya and Harbourton Foundation of Princeton.

The unit was founded by Alma Rotnem and a committee of "21 prominent Princetonians" after she learned about the organization while reading to a Institute for Advanced Study professor who was blind. The unit was chartered by the national organization in 1957 and began recording in 1958 in space donated by Princeton Theological Seminary. The unit is now located on the campus of St. Joseph's Seminary in Plainsboro.

During the last fiscal year, the unit's nearly 400 volunteers recorded more than 9,750 hours of educational material for its members. Its Educational Outreach Center was active in more than 450 Garden State schools.

For more information about the New Jersey Unit of RFB&D, visit www.rfbdnj.org or call 609-750-1830.