Valdas Juršys 1972-2003 On 14 August 2003 our dear and close colleague, the General Programmes Director of the Youth Psychological Aid Centre, Mr. Valdas Juršys passed away. Valdas was born on 25 February 1972 in Vilnius. In 1990 he graduated from Vilnius Secondary School No. 21. Upon the completion of his BA studies in psychology in 1996 he pursued an MA degree in clinical psychology.

Valdas was one of the founders of the Youth Psychological Aid Centre, he also made a significant contribution to the establishment of the telephone emergency service "Youth Line" where he worked as a volunteer. Absolutely dedicated to his work, Valdas spared neither his energy nor his time in his endeavours. Valdas’s sixteen years of committed work in the youth psychological aid area constitutes a remarkable achievement. It would not be an easy task to count everyone who, owing to Valdas’s support managed to cope with the most difficult moments of their lives and carry on living. Numerous staff members and volunteers of the Youth Psychological Aid Centre remember him as a highly competent, supportive colleague and teacher, a man of inspiring ideas and rich professional experience. Valdas stood out among his colleagues as an extremely talented and professional psychologist.

Valdas also actively and wholeheartedly participated in the activities of other organisations, such as Lithuanian Association of Telephone Emergency Services, Education Department of Vilnius Municipality, "Partnership for Children".
People who knew Valdas remember him as a sensitive, tactful person, a great and sympathetic listener, a man who could find a common language with completely different people and perfectly understand the human condition. Valdas used to dedicate himself fully to everything he did no matter what the circumstances were. It was always comforting and relaxing to be in his presence. A vivid and profound image of this kind, sincere, highly compassionate and an utterly exceptional man will be dearly held by many of those who happened to know him.

Valdas is not with us for two years. There’s already a new generation of volunteers who didn’t know Valdas working in Youth Psychological Aid Centre. Still Valdas works, his bright and memorable personality, memories of all who knew him keeps remembrance of him in the Centre.

We looked through Centre’s video archive and picked the most momentous shots with Valdas, then Artūras Franckevičius, our director of technical programs, created a short film letting us come back in times when Valdas was with us.

There is a photo of Valdas in the hall of the Centre. It reminds that he was always here and that he stays in memories and hearts of all who happened to know him.

A book "Psychological Crises and Their Overcoming" written by Kristina Ona Polukordienė was established in year 2003 in remembrance of Valdas.

Valdas loss prompted our Centre’s collective to write a book "Losses"/Friend’s Letters II, which was edited by psychologists Kristina Ona Polukordienė, Aušra Kazlauskaitė, Paulius Skruibis, Raminta Aleliūnaitė, Marija Bagdonienė. This book was published in year 2005. It also honours the memory of Valdas.

Valdas is laid to rest near his grandfather in the cemetery of Rasos. Our Centre stands by this cemetery. It’s Valdas destiny and symbolic that this place in the area of Rasos where Valdas spent most of his time while living became the place of his rest. The vision of monument to Valdas developed in our Centre. Kristina Ona Polukordienė offered the idea of the project and Oskaras Vasiliauskas, long time worker of the Centre, architect made the project of the monument. Valdas mother – Valė Juršienė liked this project and now she is taking care of building the monument.

We thank Valdas mother Valė Juršienė and Valdas familiars for giving Youth Psychological Aid Centre personal library of Valdas- there are several hundreds of books about psychology, psychotherapy and philosophy. These books are available to all visitors of the Centre’s library.

A lot of people remember Valdas. He was a very superior person, deeply sensible and subtle Man. Maybe somebody who knew Valdas and have memories about him would like to share with those who happened to know him and those who never met Valdas. We would appreciate and maintain this in honour of Valdas remembrance and show the living memories from past about him in this site.

Remenbering Valdas