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Date: 6/21/2023
LUDLOW — The Ludlow Community Center/Randall Boys and Girls Club have hired Josue Irizarry as new president and chief executive officer.
Irizarry is from Windsor, Connecticut, and began his role on June 12.
The position became vacant after past president and CEO Mechilia “Chile” Salazar stepped down officially on April 14 after five years to pursue another opportunity to work with Robert Bolduc, who is starting Hope for Youth and Families Foundation in Springfield.
Irizarry said it is an opportunity to take over for Salazar.
“It’s an opportunity to build those relationships and continue to enhance those relationships that she has built but also to create my own relationships with people in the community. I think it is a great opportunity for me, a great opportunity for the club and my staff here.”
Irizarry has had gained a lot of experience managing organizations, working with youth and building programs in communities for people of all ages by serving as the senior director at the New Britain-Berlin YMCA, events coordinator at the Peabody Museum of Natural History at Yale University, executive director of the Tri-Town YMCA branches of the Greater Hartford YMCA and executive director of Educational Resources for Children in Enfield.
He said that he looks forward to using all his past experiences to continue the programs and popularity of the Boys and Girls Club.
“What was appealing to this job was the wonderful community here. Everyone has been so welcoming here in the community. The opportunity to bring in my experience and make a difference in the community and help to build better futures for the youth here in Ludlow and also continuing to do nonprofit work,” Irizarry added.
Even though Irizarry just started on June 12, he said he is looking forward to the opportunity of making connections with the community.
He said, “An opportunity is building stronger relationship with the community and being able to provide more services to the community and we build them in the upcoming months to see how we can better serve the community.”
Irizarry added, “I am looking forward to working with the local communities, working with the school system, see how we can work together to give our youths a great opportunity and a great experience at the club.”
Recently the Boys and Girls Club renovated a space to create makerspace, upgrading a technology room for 3D printing.
The club also broke ground on their new outdoor sports court, have plans in place to enhance their baseball field and building a commercial teaching kitchen.
Irizarry said he hopes to continue the good work and opportunities for the Boys and Girls Club.
He added, “I am looking forward to the new chapter in my life and given the opportunity to shape the future of the Ludlow Community Center Boys and Girls Club and one of my goals is to meet with the community, serve and continue to provide programs for families and continue to make an impact in the community and making the club open to all.”