WARREN - The United Methodist Community Center, 760 Main Ave. S.W., has named Juanita Pasley as the new executive director this summer.

An open house reception was held recently for Pasley hosted by the center's board of trustees.

Pasley began as the new director in July. She formerly served as assistant director at the center and has been there since 1982. During this time, she developed many programs that touched the lives of women, children and families, and have been implemented throughout the state.

Pasley has served her community on many service agency boards, including the Mahoning County Family and Children First Council and Mahoning County Juvenile Courts Advisory Board.

Pasley is the recipient of the ''Paul Harris Fellow Award'' given by the Rotary Foundation of Rotary International and recipient of the ''Women of the Year Award'' presented by the East Ohio Conference of the United Methodist Women.

Pasley, along with Amanda Crosby, who will serve as associate executive director, both shared their vision for the future of the center at the recent reception.

Pasley replaced Millicent S. Counts who retired after 31 years.

The Rev. Solomon P. Hill, president of the center's board of directors and pastor of St. Mary's United Methodist Church in Youngstown, said Pasley will oversee 39 employees at both sites.

Hill said the centers have a bright future with Pasley.

"She is the right person and will provide the leadership over both centers and work well with the staff," Hill said.

She said she was excited to be placed in the new position.

"Having been here for 28 years, I am familiar with the funders and have a relationship with the foundation and the Methodist organizations who work with the center," she said.

"We have completed out strategic plan which has given us a good tool to guide the agency through the upcoming years. We will be using it both for the administrative part and he programming part of the center,'' said Pasley

Crosby said the center is proud of the PATH program and other programs geared to families.

She said the summer programs for children included visiting fire departments, art galleries and other field trips.

In addition to the Warren center, there is also a center at 334 N. Pearl St. in Youngstown.

bcoupland@tribtoday.com