WAGES celebrates its 50th anniversary
By Melinda Harrell
Published in News on October 19, 2015 1:46 PM
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News-Argus/CASEY MOZINGO
Shirley Edwards kisses Bryan Sutton on the forehead after she made the announcement that the Royall West Head Start Center will be named after Sutton Saturday night during the WAGES 50th anniversary celebration at the Wayne Center.
WAGES celebrated the life and legacy of Bryan Sutton, its former executive director, during its 50th anniversary celebration at the Wayne Center on Saturday.
WAGES renamed its Royall West Head Start building the WAGES Bryan Sutton Child Development Center in honor of Sutton's 42-year career with the agency.
Sutton touched many lives during his tenure. Taking the helm of WAGES in 1966, he assisted in providing help to needy children, seniors and families.
Although he retired in 2007, his mark on the organization is everlasting through the people he introduced to the agency that will carry on his legacy. They include Comatha B. Johnson, who serves as a member of the board of director for WAGES and the 50th Anniversary Celebration Committee chairperson. Sutton recruited Ms. Johnson into the WAGES fold and encouraged her long career as a manpower specialist.
"Mr. Sutton has always had a warm, kind spirit and has always shown kindness and compassion to others," Ms. Johnson said. "He was a trumpeter for the community."
But nothing was so poignant as the moment Shirley M. Edwards, president of the WAGES Board of Directors, presented the recognition plaque to Sutton. She handed him the plaque and gently kissed him on the forehead.
"He has given his life to development, nurturing and fostering of the WAGES agency," Ms. Edwards said during the presentation recognizing Sutton and announcing the change of the building name.
"It is near and dear to his heart."
Sutton humbly stood for the presentation, offering no words to the audience after the announcement was made. The only thing he would say about his long career at WAGES was, "It was wonderful."
Goldsboro Mayor Al King offered a few words recognizing all the services that WAGES provides for the city during the celebration as well.
"As the mayor of this great city, I know very well the great things WAGES does," King said.
He highlighted the importance of the Meal on Wheels program, which is offered through the agency.
"Without WAGES and Meals on Wheels we would have citizens in our community that would not get meals," he said.
Earlier this month the City Council passed a resolution proclaiming Oct. 17 as WAGES Day.
County commissioner Ed Cromartie said WAGES and its service to the community is something to be celebrated, and added that he is an avid supporter of the agency's programs.
"When we are discussing figures, it is easy for me to know the value of WAGES," Cromartie said. "It is easy for me to advocate for WAGES."
WAGES offers services through Head Start, a weatherization assistance program, Meals on Wheels, the foster grandparent program and the senior companion program.
WAGES was chartered in Wayne County in 1965. In March of 1966, Sutton was hired as the executive director, and in the same year, the WAGES building was opened on William Street.
WAGES received its first Program Development Grant of $37,487 the same year, and the Community Service Block Grant, which established the organization as a "community action agency."
From there WAGES ballooned, overseeing multiple community assistance programs.
In 1972, the foster grandparent program was launched, and WAGES continued to focus on helping and involving seniors.
In 1984, WAGES began Meals On Wheels, offering hot meals to the elderly and homebound.