20 Really Good People
A Voice of Courage, Connection and Compassion
Her family’s journey fuels a commitment to lifting young people out of darkness and strengthening the mission of the Youth Crisis Center.
At the Youth Crisis Center, stories of resilience and renewed hope are woven into every hallway. Among the many voices that lift up the mission, Cathy Hurst’s stands out for her openness, compassion and the deeply personal way she connects with families facing some of life’s hardest moments. Her advocacy is grounded in lived experience, shaped by a time when her own family confronted the realities of depression, fear and uncertainty.
Years ago, Hurst’s son Hayden was a rising athlete from The Bolles School with a promising baseball career ahead. When injury derailed that dream, he fell into a depression that nearly cost him his life. The experience changed their family forever. Instead of hiding their pain, Hurst chose honesty. She sought understanding, embraced education and held onto her son with everything she had. That courage helped bring Hayden back to stability and, eventually, to a successful career in the NFL; yet for Hurst, the true victory was restoring hope.
Her willingness to share their story has become a bridge for others. At YCC, where many young people battle the same feelings Hayden once faced, Hurst offers something rare and irreplaceable: empathy born of truth. She speaks with families, encourages youth and helps others find a path forward when the weight feels impossible to carry. Her presence reminds them they are not alone.
Her impact extends beyond conversation. Hurst has strengthened YCC’s mission through consistent involvement, hands-on volunteerism and a commitment to helping the organization expand programs for youth mental health and suicide prevention. She and the Hurst family regularly participate in service projects, support wellness initiatives and help create warm spaces for residents, including adopting and decorating a MILLS House to make it feel like home. Their investment in YCC reflects a belief in its life-saving work and the young people who walk through its doors.
“Cathy Hurst not only serves on Youth Crisis Center’s Board of Directors with grace and conviction, she also invests in the mission with her own resources and heart,” said Kim Sirdevan, YCC president and CEO. “Through the Hayden Hurst Family Foundation’s generosity and her ability to connect people nationwide, she has strengthened the dialogue around suicide prevention and helped build a network of hope and healing. Through these conversations, lives will be saved and bring light to the work of suicide prevention.”
For YCC, Cathy is more than a board member. She is a force for connection, a champion for youth and a reminder that healing often begins with the courage to share your story.
