NEW ROCHELLE, NY — The Boys and Girls Club of New Rochelle is pleased to announce that Lutonya Russell Humes has been named Executive Director. “After an extensive four month long search, we are thrilled to announce the selection of Lutonya,” stated Board President, Candace Pinn. “Lutonya has worked with youth and families her entire career and we are confident that the experience that she brings to the position will help the Club grow and increase its impact on the children and families that we serve.”
Ms. Russell Humes began her career at the Children’s Village, a residential treatment facility for adolescent boys in Westchester County. She spent the next ten years working in the foster care systems of New York City and Bexar County, Texas. Hoping to impact families and children before they entered the system, she began her community based work with the Westchester Community Opportunity Program (WestCOP) at the Ossining Community Action Program overseeing a nationally recognized pregnancy prevention program. While at WestCOP, Ms. Russell Humes was recruited to serve on the Westchester County Youth Bureau’s Advancing Youth Development (AYD) Training Team, where she has provided professional development to hundreds of youth development professionals across Westchester County. In her most recent position, Ms. Russell Humes served as Managing Director of Education and College Access at Phipps Neighborhoods, where she was responsible for youth development and education programs in the South Bronx.
Ms. Russell Humes has successfully managed programs throughout Westchester County from Peekskill to Yonkers, including the largest 21st Century Community Learning Center in the County at the White Plains Youth Bureau. She is most proud of providing quality programs that allow young people and their families to access services that might not otherwise be available to them. “All children need to know that their community sees greatness in them. The Boys and Girls Club organization has personified that spirit,” stated Ms. Russell Humes. “The Boys and Girls Club of New Rochelle has been a pillar of the community providing young people with a safe, nurturing space that encourages greatness. I am excited about continuing that legacy and deepening that work.”
Ms.Russell Humes received her undergraduate degree in sociology from Mississippi Valley State University, and holds a Masters of Public Administration from Pace University. She is currently an adjunct professor at Mercy College.