Patricia Hettinger, who has been assistant director of the Yachats Youth and Family Activities program, has been named its new executive director.

She replaces Alice Beck, who retired April 1 after 10 years as the head of Yachats’ only organization offering pre- and after-school children’s programs, summer camps, and other family activities.

“Patricia has been leading our pre-school program for about seven years now, and has done a phenomenal job,” said YYFAP board President Tracy Crews. “She has a very strong background in early childhood education and parent education, has helped run the Families Together program, and also helped with summer school and after-school programs.”

Hettinger also has experience in grant writing, Crews said, and is “very familiar with the spectrum of activities that YYFAP traditionally runs.”

Hettinger’s promotion opens up the position of lead pre-school teacher, as well as a program coordinator for after-school programs and summer camps.

Before coronavirus restrictions shut the city-run Commons, YYFAP provided free pre-school for income-qualified families. The group, which serves south Lincoln County, ceased in-person operations last March when Oregon’s first shutdown orders were issued and moved its pre-school classroom activities online.

YYFAP hopes to offer limited in-person youth activities, observing health safety guidelines, this summer. “We’re hoping we’re turning a corner in the COVID situation,” said Crews.

For both open positions — lead pre-school teacher and program coordinator — candidates “have to love working with kids, and have experience running and developing education programs.”

People interested may visit the YYFAP website to find details about applying for both jobs. Crews said the board hopes to fill the positions in May.

Crews also said the organization’s board plans to reach out to the community to do an assessment “so that moving forward, we’re identifying and meeting new needs.” The outreach will probably be in the form of a survey promoted on social media, letters to the organization’s mailing list, and possibly the city newsletter.