Thriving Youth Darien is a volunteer coalition that brings together local community organizations to promote and empower positive youth development and mental health, with the goal of reducing teen substance use.
The diverse group includes more than 50 leaders from 35 organizations serving youth in Darien, including mental health, substance use and healthcare professionals as well as leaders from the schools, police, town government and clergy.
Thanks to its federal Drug-Free Communities (DFC) Grant, Thriving Youth Darien, in partnership with the Darien Public Schools, anonymously surveys Darien 6-12th grade youth about their mental health and substance use patterns every two years and presents the results to parents and the community. The findings are also used to inform our members' educational program planning. The results of this year's survey were presented on October 12th.
Thriving Youth Darien members have also provided insight and guidance for our recent marijuana education campaign and the nationally recognized "06820" campaign to examine the impact of alcohol on the teen brain and to encourage healthier attitudes and behaviors among adolescents in Darien. Thriving Youth Darien was created in 2008 and meets every other month during the school year. The Community Fund of Darien is the fiscal agent for the DFC grant.
Program Staff
​Sarah McCarty
Thriving Youth Program Director​​
Volunteer Executive Board
Rebecca Campbell
Co-Chair and Youth Survey Committee Co-Chair
Brandi Maniscalco
Co-Chair
Kelly Dupont
Vice Chair
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Emily Kroenlein
Youth Survey Committee Co-Chair
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Amy Daniels
Programming Co-Chair​
​Jen Carcieri
YMCA Liaison
Detective Joe Cusano
Darien Police Department Liaison
Christina Passaretti
Former Co-Chair/Member at Large​
Thriving Youth Darien Member Organizations
Center for Hope - Family Centers
Child Guidance Center of Southern CT
Darien Chamber of Commerce
Darien High School
Darien Library
Darien Police Department
Darien Public Schools Administration
Darien Scouts
Darien YMCA
Domestic Violence Crisis Center
Family Centers
Greenwich Education Group
Kids in Crisis
Liberation Programs
Middlesex Middle School
Newport Academy
​Noroton Presbyterian Church
OK To Delay Darien
Rep. Jim Himes
Saint Luke's Parish
Sasco River Center
SEPAC (Special Education Parent Advisory Committee)
Silver Hill Hospital
State of CT
The Community Fund of Darien
The Depot Youth Center
The Hub
The Rowan Center
Town of Darien - Health Department
Town of Darien - Human Services
Town of Darien - Selectman’s Office
Town of Darien - Youth Commission
Trinity Church
YWCA of Darien/Norwalk
2025-2026 Thriving Youth Darien
Meeting Schedule
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​*9:30-11am, Darien Library Conference Room
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September 18
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November 20
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January 15 (Zoom)
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March 19
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May 21