Duarte Appoints New Teen Center Recreation Supervisor

The Duarte Teen Center has a new recreation supervisor. Marilyn Mays, who has 16 years experience in community center management in the cities of San Bernardino, San Diego, and Eugene, Oregon, will now oversee programs and activities at the City operated Teen Center.

Mays formerly spent three and a half years as the community service center supervisor for the City of San Bernardino where she managed community center classes, youth programs, teen programs and special events. Prior to that, in Eugene, she worked as a family support case manager to teen parents, and later served nine years as president and executive administrator of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) which included a large youth council program.

Born in Kansas City, Missouri and raised in San Diego, Mays began her career with the City of San Diego Parks and Recreation Department, where she served as assistant recreation center director.

Mays has earned numerous awards for community involvement and leadership in her career. She is also a certified mediator.

Mays said she is hoping to start some new programs and new classes at the Teen Center and to do more outreach to increase the usage of the facility. Currently about 60 to 70 high school age teens a day come to the center to use the computer lab, play games, or participate in classes and other activities. The Duarte Boxing Club is also an active area of the Teen Center with 30 to 40 kids a day participating in competition and fitness programs. There are also now specific days for students from Northview Middle School to visit the Teen Center and participate in the programs.

Among Mays’ plans are to start a teen book club. She is also working to develop a discussion group for teen girls that would begin in March. The discussion group, “Teens With Dreams,” will provide an opportunity for the girls to talk about their concerns such as peer pressure, educational goals and relationships. Also in the works for the month of March is to host a 3 on 3 basketball tournament, and promote a Cesar Chavez essay contest for high school students.

Mays said she is impressed with the number of programs the city has available for the community’s youth and teens, among them the new Mayor’s Youth Council. The 11-member council meets the first Monday of each month at the Teen Center and is currently helping to develop a Youth and Family Master Plan for the city.

“Duarte has taken a progressive approach to be in tune with young people by instituting the Mayor’s Youth Council. It’s a strong leadership tool and a bridge between young adults and city government,” said Mays.

Mays resides in the Redlands area where she is raising her three nieces and nephews.

For more information about the Duarte Teen Center, call Marilyn Mays at (626) 303-0863.