COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: Marva Dudley started with the Parsons Beacon program, under the auspices of the Child Center of New York, when her own daughter, now in ninth grade, joined the summer and basketball programs there in sixth grade.
“I started having a more active role,” said Dudley, explaining that she first joined the Advisory Board, then began coaching both the girls’ junior and senior basketball leagues, and was then voted president of the Board.
PERSONAL: Dudley’s daughter is now 14, she said.
PROUDEST MOMENT: “There are so many,” she recalled, though one stands out: “When the Parsons Beacon was no longer on the list for closure; when we found out we were off the list it was a proud moment for me personally because we worked very hard.”
BIGGEST CHALLENGE: “My biggest challenge is outreach. There are so many girls that may have an interest in sports, but getting the word out is hard.”
Dudley also cites the city’s budget cuts as a challenge.
FAVORITE MEMORY: Dudley said that she just celebrated a birthday and the teams and the Beacon staff threw her a surprise party. “That was amazing,” she said.
If you are interested in the Parsons Beacon program, call 718-820-0760.
