I have known Becky for 31 years. I worked for her twice before going into business with her for the last 18 years. The only time I ever saw her lose her calm demeanor was when she took a stand for justice. If she felt the rights of the youth and families she cared so deeply about were being infringed upon, Becky became a fearless leader in their defense. She held many community leadership positions, served on legislative action committees, and was an integral part of numerous subcommittees to benefit the clients she championed.
Rebecca Ruth Otsuka—known to us all as Becky—completed her higher education at the University of Northern Colorado in 1980. From there, she went on to change the lives of everyone around her, dedicating her career to juvenile justice and mental health. Over the decades, her lifelong commitment to youth included impactful work at Weber Valley Detention, Renaissance, Youth Residential, Nova, Intermountain Youth Care, Introspect, and Progressive Youth. In 2007, she brought her unparalleled expertise and passion to Quality Youth Services and later became a co-founder of DayOne Charity in 2010.
Becky not only cared for the youth and families she worked with, but she also cared for everyone around her. Countless stories have poured in about the little ways she cared for staff, community members, foster families, state employees, and youth providers' association members. This care included quietly providing funds for medical care, supporting fundraising efforts for employees' children and grandchildren, helping single moms and food-insecure individuals, and offering financial assistance through a series of random acts of kindness. She often held long conversations with unassuming wisdom; she always set aside her busyness to give her full attention to the person in front of her; and she made you believe in yourself with every conversation.
Becky had a green thumb; she often took neglected houseplants home so she could "rehab them" with her gifted touch. She had a quick wit, always had great stories to tell, and loved coffee and good food. She spoke often and fondly about her family and friends. She was so very proud of her children and grandchildren, frequently attending school programs as a proud grandparent and showing clips of the performances during administrative meetings.
Some of her favorite things to talk about each year over the last 18 years included bake day during the holidays; the World Series, who was winning, and how late she stayed up to finish the innings; her dislike of big-box stores; and how she loved events with Quality Youth Services but hated to plan them.
In fact, to honor her remarkable legacy of generosity, DayOne Charity has established a fund in her name—the Random Acts of Kindness Fund—to ensure ongoing giving in her memory.
Quality Youth Services continues to honor Becky’s memory and her legacy by being a leader in mental health and behavioral services across Utah. We provide specialized mental health therapy to community members of all ages, focusing on trauma care, couples, children, high-conflict family issues, and behavioral interventions for youth. Notably, we are one of only four comprehensive dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) providers in the state. We help individuals navigate erratic, impulsive behaviors that affect interpersonal relationships, work, school, and families.
In addition to therapy, Quality Youth Services provides privatized, therapeutic foster homes. Our specially trained foster families interact with a multidisciplinary team to offer respite and stabilization for youth in care. We also specialize in transitioning older youth to adult living, providing unique mother-in-law apartment settings that allow youth to practice independence while still relying on the security of treatment foster care.
To learn more about our services or to join our team, please call 877-393-6232.
DayOne Charity established a fund in Becky's honor—the Random Acts of Kindness Fund—to ensure ongoing giving in her memory.