Community centers are a vital part of a vibrant community. The Community News caught up with Scott Borino to discuss his role at the Edgemoor Community Center.
Q) How did you come to be the executive director at the Edgemoor Community Center?
A) Prior to becoming executive director, I served as manager of community services at Edgemoor Community Center. In that position I was responsible for program planning, writing grants, and working with tenant organizations and community groups to provide an array of community services that included instructional classes, after-school enrichment programs and family support services. My previous position provided me with a solid foundation to assume the many challenges of my current position and also appreciate all the countless rewards.
Q) When did you know that was the kind of work you'd be interested in?
A) During graduate school I spent a month volunteering with a non-profit organization in France restoring a village church, which also served as a meeting place for the community. During my time there, I was able to see the importance of having a common place for community members to meet to share their experiences and help one another out. After returning home I began to seriously look into working for non-profit organizations and I stumbled upon the Americorps VISTA program. I decided to join the program and I served with the American Red Cross of the Delmarva Peninsula, where I conducted disaster preparedness and health and safety classes for community groups and individuals. I also had the opportunity to respond to local and national disasters. These two experiences were my main catalyst to stay involved in the non-profit sector.
Q) Who does the ECC serve and what kinds of programs does the center offer?
A) ECC serves community members of all ages from all walks of life. Parents of children 6 weeks old to 12 years old are served through our child-care and after-school programming. Community members are able to come to the center during the evening for both structured and open recreation programs, such as basketball, volleyball and martial arts. ECC also offers classes throughout the year for educational enrichment. ECC provides alcohol, tobacco and other drug prevention programs as a part of the Delaware Prevention Network Alliance. The community's senior citizens have access to numerous resources at Seller's Senior Center, which is a tenant organization of ECC.
