'More than occupation'

Byron Smith, director, Ralph J. Young Recreation Center, Baltimore City government

By Nancy Jones-Bonbrest | Special to The Baltimore Sun

September 28, 2008

Salary $31,000

Age 36

Years on the job 8

How he got started Smith received a bachelor's degree in youth and family counseling and a master's degree in pastoral counseling from the Family and Bible College, Institute and Seminary in Baltimore. He first worked with young people on a volunteer basis with his church and local schools, then started working with the Department of Recreation and Parks in 2000 as a part-time youth recreation leader. He later switched to full-time work as a recreation leader at the Ralph J. Young Recreation Center in East Baltimore. He was promoted to center director in July.

Typical day Smith works Monday through Friday from 1 to 9 p.m. The first two hours are spent planning and preparing for the day. From about 2:30 to 6 p.m., the center operates an after-school program. In the evening, it is open to the rest of the community for programs such as aerobics, open gym, game room activities, sports clinics and community meetings.

The after-school program is in full swing, with about 35 students ranging in age from 5 to 13. Most of the students attend the neighboring Commodore John Rodgers Elementary/Middle School. They start with homework assistance, study hall and a snack, then move to programs such as dance, self-defense, arts and crafts, marching band, basketball, cheerleading and 4-H activities. The after-school program runs the entire school year and is offered free.

During the summer, programming turns to daytime camps open to any students ages 5 to 13.

Smith works with two full-time employees, one part-time worker and three volunteers. He used to be more directly involved in leading programs but is now responsible for many of the administrative duties that come with running the center.

"We do events that really try to pull in the community," he said. "Through recreation, we try to address different needs. We're here for the community."

The good "Feeling like I can make a difference in a young person's life."

The bad The number of people benefiting from the center's services is important, but Smith doesn't believe it should overshadow the objective: "Sometimes quantity can become more important than quality."

Working with youth "It's definitely more than an occupation."

Rec baby Smith said he remembers his youth, when he reaped the benefits of his local recreation center growing up in Lexington Terrace. "I can remember the whole staff. As a man, I really appreciate them."

Popular programs For the girls, it's dance; for the boys, it's basketball.

Philosophy "People need to be the priority more than the program itself. Sometimes you have to be flexible."

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