Longevity has its rewards.

Case in point: Keuka College junior Syeisha Byrd, who is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in social work through the Accelerated Studies for Adults Program (ASAP).

Byrd is a unit director at the Central Village Boys & Girls Club of Syracuse. She has been involved with various Boys & Girls Clubs since age five and is the recipient of the Professional Youth Worker Award from the Onondaga County Department of Aging & Youth.

“I try to work hard and be a positive mentor to the children and anyone else with whom I come in contact,” said Byrd. “I feel special and proud. I am happy that someone thought that I was special and took the time out to recognize me.”

Byrd, who “grew up” at the Shonnard Street (Syracuse) Boys & Girls Club, became a junior staff employee at age 14, as a front desk worker.

“I was the first person the children would see when they came in the door,” said Byrd.” My job was to greet them, make sure they signed in, and I made sure they were feeling OK.”

Her first supervisory job was at Porter Magnet School (Syracuse) where she ran a Boys & Girls Club after school program.

As a unit director, Byrd is responsible for supervision and guidance of staff, program planning, fund raising, and grant writing. She also trains staff, plans special events and maintains the central village building.

Byrd chose Keuka’s ASAP because “I had a few friends go through a Keuka program and they loved it.

“It also worked with my schedule,” Byrd added. “I am a mother and work two jobs. I needed a program that would not require going to class every day. Keuka College is helping me move forward with my life. Going back to school is giving me the knowledge I need to touch even more lives.”

-- Gretchen Parsells