The City of Albuquerque’s Youth and Family Services Department has received several awards at the 2025 New Mexico Recreation & Parks Association (NMRPA) annual conference, recognizing achievements in community recreation, inclusion, and youth services.
The department earned three main honors: the Facility Design Award for the Jack Candelaria Community Center, the Special Event of the Year Award for its “Cruzin’ Into the School Year” event, and the Ed Chismar Outstanding Young Professional Award presented to Inclusive Recreation Manager Olyvia Lee.
The Jack Candelaria Community Center was recognized for its renovations, which have turned it into a modern community hub. The upgrades include a boxing ring suitable for events, new fitness equipment, a multipurpose room, and a computer lab. These improvements aim to give residents of all ages access to resources in physical fitness, education, and digital literacy.
The “Cruzin’ Into the School Year” event won recognition for supporting educational readiness among local students. Held at two community centers, this program distributed nearly 2,000 backpacks with school supplies as well as more than 2,000 books. In addition to these materials, organizers provided 500 haircut vouchers and over $30,000 in shoe vouchers and prizes. Multiple local organizations joined in to connect families with needed resources.
Olyvia Lee received the Ed Chismar Outstanding Young Professional Award for her leadership in promoting accessibility within recreation programs. With more than ten years of experience in the field, Lee has led initiatives such as reopening Loma Linda Community Center and starting an inclusive swimming program. She also established an Inclusion Ambassador Program that trains teen employees on respectful practices.
“These awards highlight the hard work and heart our team brings every day,” said Mayor Tim Keller. “Whether it’s equipping kids for school, modernizing community centers, or making recreation truly inclusive, we’re taking care of all our neighbors.”
More information is available at cabq.gov/family.
