Meet W. Brian Barr
2023 Class of Philanthropy Hall of Fame
W. Brian Barr was inducted into the Capital Region Hall of Fame on June 13, 2023, at United Way of the Greater Capital Region's Annual Award Celebration.
W. Brian Barr serves as President of Senior Hope Inc., an outpatient treatment clinic for 50 and over seeking to recover from substance abuse. He served as Associate Deputy Commissioner in the New York State Office of Children and Family Services. He has been with OCFS since its formation in January of 1998, where he had then served as Assistant Commissioner in the New York State Department of Social Services for two years. On March 20, 2009, he was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the annual NASW-NYS conference. Mr. Barr participated in the first-ever teen and senior suicide audit by the George Gallup organization awakening the public to isolation as a major threat to seniors. In this area, Mr. Barr has been a pioneer in speaking and writing on Demystifying Suicide. Additionally, Mr. Barr spent years as a clinical and community service director at a residential program (La Salle School), where he initiated programs such as Independent Living, Day Treatment, Substance Abuse Prevention Program, and a Sexual Victim Offender Program. La Salle School’s clinical team was considered one of the strongest in the nation due to its staff competency, stability, and initiative. For 18 years, he served as instructor/supervisor to Dale Carnegie and Associates, training public and in-house classes. In 2011, Brian received the Jefferson Award for Public Service. The Jefferson Award is a prestigious national recognition system honoring community and public service in America, presented nationally and locally. He was one of a select few medalists and was the Capital Districts' representative at a national awards ceremony in Washington.
Mr. Barr is a retired social worker and substance-abuse counselor who has altruistically volunteered in his community to help others needing knowledge and those suffering great loss from a loved one’s suicide.