Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker, on Tuesday, once again, named a number of new officials to city offices.
And, during the day, many of the roles that Parker filled were aimed at community engagement and opportunity, in a variety of forms.
She opened the day's event, saying that her office has already named about five dozen new cabinet members, department heads and other city officials to her administration. And, she reminded those in attendance she is focused on bringing in the best and the brightest to work in municipal roles.
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“We are looking for the right people, for the right positions at the right moment in time for what we want to get done," said the mayor.
First, she named Orlando Rendon, the former commissioner of the city's Department of Parks and Recreation, as the new director of the Office of Community Engagement and Opportunity.
It was a role that, Rendon said, he was excited to take on.
"I’m confident that we will build a Philadelphia that shines as a beacon of opportunity for all," he said in thanking the mayor for the new opportunity.
Then, Parker named William Garcia as the first-ever head of the new Office of Latino Engagement for the City of Philadelphia.
She said that Garcia has been working on advancing Latino community issues for two decades.
And, Garcia said, he hopes to work as a bridge between city government and the Latino community.
“Together we will work tirelessly to address the diverse needs and aspirations of our Latino residents,” said Garcia.
NBC10's Lauren Mayk asked Gracia what is his plans for the future.
"I think our biggest need right now would be economic development and even affordable housing," Garcia said. " A lot of our people are displaced or just currently renting. We would like to see our Latino's stay, build roots in the city and actually cause a greater affect."
Also, Parker named 24-year-old Shania Bennett as the Director of the Office of Youth Engagement. Bennett -- who attended the Community College of Philadelphia and was elected as a committee person for the city's 48th ward, 12th division in South Philadelphia, when she was just 18 -- said she was "ecstatic and honored' at the oppertunity.
"I never imagined myself here, getting this far, in my life," Bennett said.
Bennett's appointment comes in the wake of shootings in and around SEPTA last month that killed one teen and left others injured.
"It took me back to the point of last year when I lost my brother to gun violence," Bennett said. " It took me back to 2014 when I was 14 years old, 10 years ago, when I lost my first friend to gun violence in school. It just grieved my spirit that 10 years later I had to experience the same thing and that families are sharing in the same hurt and despair that I have. I believe Mayor Parker and the administration is going to do eveything they can to make things better for the future generations."
During the day, Parker also named new appointments for the offices of Community Behavioral Health, Employee and Labor Relations, the Department of Human Services and others.
Earlier this month, Parker named Susan Slawson as the head of the city's Department of Parks and Recreation amid announcing directors for the Office of Faith and Interfaith, the Office of Muslim Engagement, the Office of Black Male Engagement, the Office of Women Engagement and other positions.
These officials join Parker's growing administration as she nears her 100th day in office -- at which time she plans to unveil a safety plan for the city.
Tuesday would mark Parker's 79th day on the job.
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