Sean Hargraves

Longtime New Bedford community leader Jim Mathes is retiring from Dennison Memorial. Executive Director Joe Neves takes over leadership at the South End youth community center.

The pandemic has forced Dennison staffers to alter the center's hours of operation, and shift its focus somewhat from recreation to education.

They've added a host of activities in recent years, including educational programs that help children after school and during the summer.

There is a new President and C-E-O at Dennison Memorial Community Center in the South End. Dennison officials announced Tuesday that Jim Mathes has been hired to lead the agency, which provides education and recreation programs for young people in that part of the city...