Pasadena City Manager Michael J. Beck has announced the appointment of Mercy Santoro as director of the Human Services and Recreation Department effective June 1.
The department develops neighborhood leadership and linkages and promotes positive use of recreation and leisure time. Social services, recreation and education activities are delivered at several community centers and parks in Pasadena as well as 14 Pasadena Unified School District sites.
Over the past two years Santoro has directed the Human Services Department in Claremont, including social services, human relations, recreation classes, adult and youth sports programs, and parks and facilities management.
“Mercy Santoro has all the qualifications and capabilities needed for Pasadena ’s next director of human services and recreation,” said Beck. "I am confident she will continue the traditions of leadership, management and community partnerships that have been the hallmarks of the department.”
During her tenure in Claremont, Santoro oversaw the update to the city’s Youth and Family Master Plan, developed a phased approach to the 17-acre Padua Avenue Community Park with Claremont’s first sustainable park design, carried out a needs assessment to direct services and programs communitywide, developed the process for restoration of the 144-acre Sycamore Canyon Park, helped secure more than $4.5 million in grant funding to acquire 150 acres of open space, coordinated the city’s homeless funds and resources with local agencies, developed the Healthy Community Policy adopted by the Claremont City Council this year and initiated various branding efforts to convey wellness benefits of services through city programs and the park system.
“I am honored by the opportunity to join the Pasadena team and look forward to meeting and working with the community and staff in addressing the quality of life needs of our great city,” said Santoro. “I plan to be present in community life so I can connect with partners to ensure our goals for community well-being remain a top priority.”
Santoro served as deputy director of the Claremont Human Services Department from 2006 to 2009, was a superintendent and supervisor in the department from 2000 to 2006 and was recreation supervisor and coordinator for the Rialto Recreation and Community Services Department from 1995 to 2000. She taught developmental psychology at theUniversity of La Verne as adjunct faculty from 2005 to 2007.
She holds a Master’s Degree in child development from the University of La Verne and a Bachelor’s Degree in English literature from California State University-San Bernardino.
She is Claremont ’s liaison to the San Gabriel Valley Housing and Homeless Coordinating Council, is a member of theCalifornia Parks and Recreation Society, completed studies in human services leadership from Pacific Oaks College and certification in recreation risk management from the Joint Powers Insurance Authority. In 2009 she earned the city ofClaremont the honor of receiving the League of California Cities prestigious Helen Putnam Award for a shuttle service that connects underserved teens to youth programs throughout Claremont .
The mother of one daughter, Santoro lives in Claremont .
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