Andrea Kenney specifically remembers starting her position as program coordinator at the East Haven Recreation Department on Aug. 29, 2022. Previously working as the program director for recreation in Branford for two decades, she provided software consulting to Recreation Director Liz Franco-Spano to update the department’s website. It was just one example of the varied experience she brought from Branford to her new position in a new town.

“I’ve been in recreation for over 20 years, so I can take everything that I’ve gained in my previous job and bring it over to East Haven,” Andrea says. “There, I did camp, tournaments, programming as a facility scheduler, registrations; you name it.”

Since joining the recreation department, Andrea has coordinated and will coordinate a number of major events, including last fall’s Halloween Boo Bash, the upcoming Easter Egg Hunt, and an adult men’s basketball league.

She is also the Youth Services Coordinator and is looking to spearhead monthly events particularly aimed at middle schoolers, including drug use prevention programs. Like with many other events, Andrea’s work in prevention will involve cross-departmental projects with the East Haven Board of Education, school social workers, and the Town Juvenile Review Board to find alternative activities for students that are both safe and fun.

“After April vacation, the [Pasquale G. “Patsy” DiLungo Veterans Memorial] ice rink will shut down, and then we convert it into a roller skating rink. My first event is going to be coming up with that, and we’re going to do a skate night for the middle school ages at the ice rink.”

In addition, Andrea is involved in coordinating athletic and visual and culinary arts programs. She also works with local groups like the East Haven Garden Club.

“One of the things I love is dealing with the people—kids, families. I like to be able to help someone that’s in need,” she says. “One of the organizations that I work with every Christmas is called Routes for Relief. They do a bike drive. And I brought it to East Haven. We bought two bikes per each elementary school or more for families in need. They were able to give their kids, for Christmas, brand new bicycles.”

To Andrea, the one thing that’s always present is understanding where the members’ communities are in their lives, what their needs are, what they’re looking for, and how to establish doable, exciting programs.

“You have to kind of listen. People will call or will talk to people outside of the office and see what their thoughts are, [and] what their wants are. Sometimes, programs don’t take off because of the time of day we do it, or, [you ask], ‘Are parents available? Are they working parents? The kids are in school—are they in after-school programs before school programs?’ So you have to take every aspect of that into consideration and then decide what’s the best time to hold a program.”

She says that another key aspect of community-centric program coordination is being aware of those wants and needs according to age demographics.

“Each community is extremely different. It’s nice. It allows you to be creative. It builds up your department.”

When asked what motivates her to work in the recreation department and with her colleagues, it’s pretty simple.

“I love my job. I look forward to coming to work every day. I love working with people. I love working for the town of East Haven. Every department has been wonderful,” she says. “I love the challenge. I love to be able to come to work and create something, offer something, and build upon it. Something new, something old. And listen, take phone calls, guide people. “I love the kids, I love the families. I like building relationships within the community. And I hope to meet a lot more people obviously. I just started, so I’m looking forward to meeting so many more families.”