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Josh Lainfiesta
YRCC DirectorJosh Lainfiesta
YRCC DirectorJosh is a newcomer to Northwest Arkansas and the City of Fayetteville. Him and his family moved to the area in the fall of 2020, and he began his position as the Director of the YRCC in August of 2021. He graduated Cum Laude from the University of California State Long Beach with a Bachelor’s of Arts Degree in Recreation with a concentration in community recreation. He is a Certified Park and Recreation Professional with the National Recreation and Park Association and has over 13 years of work experience in the local government recreation field. He has a variety of experience in the field including volunteer management, after-school programming, youth and adult sports, special events and managing multiple recreation centers.
In his free time, Josh loves spending time with his wife and his two children, going to beach, listening to music and playing board games and sports. He is very grateful to be the Director of the YRCC and is very excited for the future of the center.
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DeMarcus Wiggins
Recreation Program ManagerDeMarcus Wiggins
Recreation Program ManagerDeMarcus Wiggins is a University of Arkansas Alumni and a member of the Arkansas Razorback Football family. After the 2000 season, DeMarcus decided to hang up his cleats and focus on his academics. He graduated from the University of Arkansas with a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Kinesiology K-12 with a concentration in social work. DeMarcus then dedicated his life to the mental health field, and for the next 23 years he served the community in various capacities such as developing work readiness programs for teens, mental health counseling, mental health therapy, and many other services that provide direct communication with community resource partners. DeMarcus has committed his life to the community, and plans to continue striving for advocacy of young people that struggle with poverty.
In his free time, DeMarcus enjoys spending time with his wife and his two daughters, going fishing with friends, playing sports, listening to music, and guiding young people to successful futures. DeMarcus has lived in Northwest Arkansas since 1998, and plans to develop exciting programs for teens at the YRCC. He is also currently pursuing his Master’s Degree in Business Administration at Western Governors University and plans to own a local business in Fayetteville.
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T’Essence Long
Recreation Program ManagerT’Essence Long
Recreation Program ManagerT’Essence Long is originally from McGehee, Arkansas. T’Essence and her family relocated to Fayetteville in December of 2022 on a military assignment with her husband. T’Essence is a University of Arkansas at Monticello alumni where she received a Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies with a primary in Education and secondary in Social Science. T’Essence has experience in Early Childhood Education, K-12 Education, and Mental Health Education. She has worked as a Sports Specialist under the U.S. Army Child and Youth Services Sports Department at Fort Riley, Kansas. She is passionate about serving the youth in our community, providing resources to families in need, and being a positive role model and mentor in the City of Fayetteville.
In her free time, T’Essence loves spending time with her husband and children. T’Essence loves traveling with her family and making memories every opportunity that she is presented. She loves to visit her hometown as much as possible. T’Essence enjoys watching her daughter and son play sports. She is currently enrolled in the Masters of School Counseling and Leadership Program at Arkansas Tech University in Russellville. T’Essence is thankful for the opportunity to serve this City as the Recreation Programs Manager at the YRCC
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