Beloved city employee recognized for 25 years of service to Simi youth
By Miguel Morales miguel@theacorn.com

IRIS SMOOT/Acorn Newspapers SAVING GRACE- Mary King-Aitchinson has spent most of her 25 years with the city as a community services specialist with the Teen Assistance and Resource Program. In that quarter century she has touched countless young lives, including that of Crystal Sloan, who said at a recent City Council meeting- "I couldn't have made it this far without her."

Troubled adolescents can often avoid heading down the dark road toward isolation, depression and even suicide if they are fortunate enough to find just the right help or the guidance they need.

Luckily for the parents and children of Simi Valley, one resident has made it her lifelong goal to lead those youths down a path toward a better life.

For the past 25 years, Mary King-Aitchison has served as a community service specialist with the city's Teen Assistance and Resource Program (TARP).

King-Aitchison said she's drawn to working with youth ages 12 to 17 to help them deal with problems ranging from drugs and alcohol abuse to running away to just not fitting in at school.

"This is my passion. It's all I've ever wanted to do," she said. "It's not for the money or because I have to do it; it's because I want to do it."

At the May 14 meeting of the City Council, Mayor Paul Miller recognized KingAitchison, presenting her with a service award for her efforts and accomplishments at TARP since she started there in 1979.

During the years she's been with TARP she's helped an estimated 6,000 youths and their families through group therapy that includes role playing and art therapy, the mayor explained.

"Thank you for 25 years of service," Miller said. "One of the reasons the city is in such good shape overall is that we really do have a group of outstanding employees. We hope we can get 25 more years out of (Mary)."

Family members, coworkers and several youth agency representatives were on hand to show support for the longtime TARP coordinator as she received the honor.

High school student Crystal Sloan, a TARP participant since 2001, stood up at last Monday's meeting to praise the selfless public servant.

"I couldn't have made it this far without her," Sloan said.

While she was in middle school, Sloan said, she felt "misunderstood and alone," feelings that led her to seek help from the program.

What she discovered, the senior said, changed her life forever.

"I found more than I thought I ever would," she said.

Now Sloan, together with other TARP members, is helping others deal with the same problems she once faced, letting them know they're not alone.

"With the years came wisdom and with wisdom came change," Sloan said.

"I couldn't wait until I could be the strong one, the one that could hold my own enough to be able to help kids younger than myself finding themselves between a rock and a hard place, which is exactly where I found myself a few years ago."

King-Aitchison, who has a degree in behavioral science and certificates in counseling and mediation, said the greatest joy in her career was being able to see her work "turn kids around."

Watching them rebuild relationships with family and learn to communicate and deal with their problems was what made her job worthwhile, she said.

"I've been doing this a long time," King-Aitchison said. "I don't see myself stopping anytime soon."