Teen Center Director Reflects on 8 Years of Service

After more than eight years as the Executive Director of Bethel’s Teen Center, Hilda Valdespino prepares to embark on a new journey; one that also involves helping others.

The Youth Commission will be searching for a new director in the coming weeks, however First Selectman Matthew Knickerbocker told Patch they are currently working on putting together a job description and will post the position on the Town’s website when it is completed.

Patch interviewed Ms. DeLucia about her accomplishments and proudest moments.

Q: Who were you hired by?

A: Bob Burke. I went to town hall to inquire about the position and they told me they were very close to making a decision and were not accepting any more resumes. Bob Burke came out of his office and we introduced ourselves. When I told him I was 100 percent Cuban he started talking to me in his broken high-school Spanish. I went home and decided to send him an email with my resume. I started the first sentence of the cover letter of the email with “I am the Cuban you practiced your high school Spanish with this afternoon.” And then I proceeded to make my case for the position. I was called in to meet with him again and they made appointments for me to meet with Phyllis Kansky, the Director of Human Resources and with Rich Merritt the Youth Commission chairperson at the time and the rest is history.

Q: What new programs were set in place by you?

A: About 3 weeks after I accepted the position I gathered a group of volunteers to help clean out the existing Teen Center. The building was in shambles, there were mouse droppings all over the place, the carpeting was in need of major replacement, the walls had holes in them, the furniture was disgusting and there was very little that I felt could be used by teenagers. We spent half a day throwing out things and cleaning things up as best we could but it was a small dent in a very large project. About 3 weeks after that Saturday of cleaning, Mr. Burke called me to tell me they suspected the building had lead and asbestos and the town was going to begin testing it to see if that was true and to what extent the lead and asbestos were present in the building. But for now, I could not have anyone in the building and I could not use the building for any programs or services. I had already begun meeting with key stakeholders in the community about my plans and vision for the teen center. I had met with BOE personnel, school administrators, Chief of Police and other officers, business owners and town personnel. I did some research about teen empowering programs and learned a lot about the Search Institute’s 40 Developmental Assets and chose to make that the foundation for Pro Access, Bethel’s Teen Center.

Q: What are you proudest accomplishments?

A: Our ability to attract a variety of teens with different interests, skills and friends groups to our programs. That was something I was very committed to doing. I didn’t want the teen center to be seen as a place for only jocks, or only geeks, or any other label middle and high schoolers tend to create. I wanted to offer a wide variety of activities that would attract a large variety of teens.

Q: Was the Assistant Director hired at the same time as you?

A: No, within a few months I realized that I would not be able to provide the type of programs and services the town needed by myself. As an independent contractor for the town, I was able to quickly hire someone to compliment and support my vision. I placed an ad in the papers and interviewed quite a few candidates and in the early Spring of 2008 I hired Claudia Fortunato as the Assistant Director. I would not have been able to accomplish what I’ve accomplished at Pro Access without the support, energy, enthusiasm and commitment demonstrated by Ms. Fortunato.

Q: What advice would you give to the incoming director?

A: Don’t take membership or program attendance personally. Look at it as a fluid program where sometimes the best ideas bomb and other times you’ll be surprised by the enthusiasm and attendance at something you may have thought was not going to get much traction. It’s not about you, or anything you do. It’s usually about where the kids are in that particular moment in time and whether their friends are endorsing, embracing or putting down the activity. Different years generate different interests in activities. There’s no crystal ball or predictor to help you know what will or won’t work. Try things multiple times to assure it’s not a good fit for the community of teens. Be open and empathetic to teens and their issues. Many times the program was less important than the conversations that took place at the program. Upon hearing about my transition one parent said this was the only place her son felt comfortable attending. Another parent thanked me for helping her son come out of his shell during his middle school days. These stories are a testimony that it’s less about the programs and more about the connection we make with the teens. Create a safe no-judgement zone for everyone to feel comfortable. Set the bar high for respect and responsibility. Teens will respond to the bar you set.

Q: What are you leaving to do?

A: I will be doing a year of service for a community action organization in the state of Washington. My part time job during my commitment to Pro Access was as an inspirational trainer and speaker. On September 2007, the same month and year I began at Pro Access, I founded Inspired Learning LLC. The focus of this company has been to help individuals in transition navigate the very cumbersome, depressing and challenging job search process. This summer I decided I wanted to try living out West temporarily. When the AmeriCorps Vista opportunity in Washington came about where I would be helping people break their cycle of poverty with training, internship and volunteer opportunities I felt the need to answer the call. I will continue my work as President, professional speaker and trainer for Inspired Learning during my year in Washington. You can follow my accomplishments and virtual training programs through the Inspired Learning Facebook page or my website at www.inspiredlearningllc.com.

Q: Do you plan on returning to the area after your volunteer year is complete?

A: I’m very focused right now on the opportunities I’m embarking on for the next 12 months without putting too much emphasis on 2017. However, my one daughter lives on the east coast at the current moment and we are very, very close. I am not sure I would want to permanently live across the country from her. However, I will keep all my options open.

Q: What’s happening with the new Teen Center? When will it be built?

A: The future building plans for the Teen Center is something that would be best answered by the First Selectmen.

Q: Anything else you would like to add?

A: I have loved the work the town of Bethel allowed me to do with the teens of this community. I have grown and learned so much about myself while helping teens develop into young mature adults. We are having a reunion of Pro Access Alumni tonight at Pro Access. Nothing makes me happier than having prior Pro Access members reach out to me while they are in college or out in the work world embarking on their professional lives. I feel privileged to have had this amazing experience the past 8 years. Parents and teens and former members have been writing to me to wish me luck and share their perspective on their experiences with Pro Access. I have been overwhelmed by the love and support showed me the past 8 years and hearing these stories recently has brought me to tears the past few weeks.

Bethel Patch wishes Hilda the best of luck in her future endeavors!