Maryanne Hayashi’s Central City Action Committee has offered kids from low-income families in Echo Park homework tutoring and job training, and brought them on field trips for about 45 years. Along the way, the nonprofit picked up a city contract to do graffiti removal, which is carried out by paid staffers.
AGE 81
TITLE: Executive Director
ORGANIZATION: Central City Action Committee, Echo Park
How many hours do you work in a week?
The nature of our programs and services requires some evening meetings, weekends, and special projects, which average out to 40 hours a week.
Why not retire?
Over 60 years of being involved in the nonprofit world as a volunteer, staff (member), and administrator, supervising as well as developing programs and projects, I’ve seen things that work very well and others that don’t. So I came to the conclusion that with all the years of trial and error (experience), why quit now?
Does your family want you to retire?
My immediate, as well as my extended, family know that I love my job and have always been very supportive and understanding and keep cheering me on.
Best part of working past 80?
That I still can.
Worst part?
Some frustration that I can no longer multitask. I spend a lot more time planning and organizing.
Are you up to date on technology?
Yes, I have a smart, techy staff. Some consider my black daily planner high tech. I have everything in it. The center’s youth and staff refer to it as my “iBook.” My motivation for learning to use my smartphone is to Facebook the latest pictures of my grand- and great-grandchildren.
What is the best advice you ever got?
No man, woman, or agency is an island. You need to research and know your community. Leave your ego at home and develop all the necessary programs and resources that will enable you to provide the best services to your clients.
What advice would you give to people who want to work well past 65?
Stay healthy, eat well, exercise, and have a good sense of humor. Don’t dwell in the past, take the best of it, but stay in the present. Keep an open mind to new ways and ideas. You will be surprised how much you can still learn.
What’s the secret to staying healthy and active?
Being around young people. With kids, you get the truth. They don’t have an agenda. They have enthusiasm and are always willing to try new things. Sometimes older people say, Oh, that’s not going to work. With the kids, I get re-energized with their enthusiasm. And they’re fun. Junior high and high school and college.
Do you work as much as you used to in your 40s and 50s?
In my 40s and 50s, I’d work seven days a week if necessary. Now, I take better care of myself physically. I try to stay healthy and do some kind of exercise, but I think it’s also mental attitude. When you’re working with young people, I think that’s the secret.
How has your work routine changed?
I don’t do a lot of overtime like I did. If there was something on Saturday or Sunday, I’d go a few hours. I don’t do that much anymore.
What do you miss the most about being young?
I have to be more organized. Before I could be cleaning the house, writing a proposal, have something on the stove, and remember everything. Now I have to write everything down. That’s the thing I miss the most. I can’t be as spontaneous, I have to plan more.
What do you see in the future?
I don’t make long-term plans, because at 81 I’m on a month-to-month schedule. As long as I’m still having fun, and the funding sources feel I’m productive, I guess I’ll keep going.
– Daina Beth Solomon
