A new face resides behind the big desk at the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Scottsdale McKee Branch in Fountain Hills, with Lauren Stratton taking over as the new Branch Director.

When former Branch Director Justin Duran announced he would be leaving the Boys & Girls Club earlier this year, the search began to fill the role. The higher ups at the Club found their candidate in Stratton, who was already serving as Director at another branch.

A Fountain Hills resident, the move to the McKee branch means that Stratton will now be working in her own hometown.

Born in Phoenix, Stratton said she grew up in Plano, TX.

“But I’ve actually been back in Arizona longer than I lived there,” she said.

“I bounced from Texas to California and ended up at [Northern Arizona University].”

Stratton studied anthropology up at NAU and started working at the Boys & Girls Club in the summers during college, as her parents had moved to Scottsdale by that time.

“I started out working in the art room and the gym, just part-time, at the Osborn Branch, which is now closed,” Stratton continued.

“In 1999, I got my first full-time job with the Club as the Teen Development Supervisor at the Barker Branch. I was there just about three years in that role before moving to the Rose Lane Branch as the Branch Director.”

There for another two years, Stratton moved on to serve as Branch Director back at the Barker Branch, where she’s been ever since.

While attending college, Stratton said she did not expect to end up turning the Boys & Girls Club into a career, even though she already had family ties to the organization.

“It’s funny, because my dad worked for Boys Clubs of America for 40 years,” she said.

“So I was around the club all the time growing up, but I was never a member because it was just boys at the time.

“I took it as a summer job thinking ‘this is fun for now,’ but it just kind of sucks you in. It’s great to come to the Club every day and be surrounded by kids who are happy all of the time.”

Stratton said that no two days are ever the same in her job and something funny happens on a daily basis. That kind of diversity helps keep things interesting.

“It’s good to see these kids grow up,” Stratton said.

“I was at the Barker branch so long that I saw generations of kids. I’d see teens in the Club who had gone on, had kids and were now bringing their kindergarteners to the Club. That’s great to see.”

When asked what has kept her so involved over the years, Stratton’s answer came quickly.

“The relationships,” she said.

“The relationships with the kids, families and staff have been great.

“The best part is seeing the kids find success. You see kids who kind of struggle a little bit, or have some rough family issues. To see them get beyond that and become successful is the most rewarding part of the job.”

Stratton said she’s always been proud of the staff teams she’s created over the years, finding the most passionate and motivated people to help guide the next generation.

It’s that kind of passion she’s hoping to help foster and keep growing as she takes over at the McKee Branch.

“I’ve lived in town about 10 years now,” Stratton said.

“But this branch is a totally different change from where I was. It’s a totally different population with totally different needs.”

Stratton said the Barker Branch was about three times the size of the McKee Branch.

“But then again, the needs here as far as community involvement are concerned are so much greater,” she continued.

“That’s a new piece for me. From the Coalition to the local clubs, finding out what I need to be involved in has been a change.”

So the transition hasn’t been without its challenges, especially since Stratton is working between two branches at the moment, but she said she’s ready for the challenge.

“There’s been a rotating door of people coming in and out recently, and I’d like to create some stability,” Stratton said.

“That’s where we’ll make the biggest impact, by making long-term relationships with families and kids.

“I want to build up the Club so that, rather than putting their faith in one person, the community has a stronger view of the Boys & Girls Club in general. I want them to have faith in the Boys & Girls Club and love us no matter who is here.

“I look forward to meeting everybody, getting to know everyone and making changes to fit their needs.”