Slam! The door smashes against the table. I look up and see three kids running past my desk to go play basketball outside. I yell, “Don’t forget to sign in,” but it is too late and even if they did hear me, I was politely ignored. I jog after them outside into the half sized basketball court squeezed in between the youth center, a restaurant and the courtyard of the Lower East Side Eldridge Projects. They already started shooting hoops and before I even get the chance to remind them to sign in, I am interrupted and challenged to a game to eleven. I clarify to Jay, Jelvis and Manny that after I beat them they must sign in. They all chuckle and then Jay screams, “We going to leave you at zero”.

Even though it is three versus one, my height and experience still give me the advantage. I check the ball and begin to play defense, but before a blink of an eye they make two quick passes around me and score their first basket. “Too easy,” Jay shouts as I check him the ball again. Jay motions to do the same pass of the last play I quickly step in front and snatch the ball from his hands. He motions to his teammates to get back on defense, but I am already in the air letting the ball gently leave my finger tips as I clap against the backboard. “One up,” I boast as if that point meant the game is already over.

We go back and forth until I have the ball. The score is ten to seven and if I hit the next basket I will win. As I dribble the ball between my legs I can feel the discomfort of sweat beading on my thigh under my jeans. Jay points to his teammates to go down low and calls out “Lock Up” reassuring his teammates that he will not let me score. Jay is in his defensive stance as I try to explain, “If you had just passed the ball more and played with your teammates then maybe you could have won”

“Hurry up and shoot” Jay hollers. But before Jay even finishes his sentence I let the ball fly and all I hear in my head is swoosh. In reality there is no net so the ball just rattles into the rim. “Game, now go sign in quickly so you can keep playing”. Watching Jay and Jelvis running back inside, I don’t see disappointment in their faces but an eagerness to defeat me next time. I follow them inside thinking how every time I play against these kids my height and experience become less of a factor because they grow into their mid teens and progress faster.

I walk back into the youth center and hear my name howled but I sit down at my table just to collect my breath. Even though I started working four hours ago, my day really begins now, when the kids start arriving from school at 3:15. Up until now the youth center was so quiet I might be able to hear a mouse running through the space above the ceiling. My boss, Leonard usually leaves at around two o’clock after he and I are done with the boring accounting work such as sorting receipts, checking time sheets, paying bills and general keeping the GVYC operating and efficiently helping kids.

I have been working at the Greenwich Village Youth Council (GVYC) for almost six months now but it feels like I grew up here. I got the job from a long time friend, the director, my boss Leonard, who has known me for almost a third of my life. He played a pivotal role as either my principle, basketball coach, mentor or just someone I can always talk to. I met him upon entering seventh grade at a new middle school. He was the principle and this was a time in my life when I was angry and difficult to control. Leonard showed some extra interest in me and over time gained my trust. As I look back I realize that he is really an example of how a child can be turned around by positive interaction with adults.

The atmosphere in the youth center is always cozy and warm but rarely calm. I go to sit on the black leather couch, which is situated in the middle of the youth center next to two other sofas surrounding a television. I am the only supervisor at the youth center at the moment, but Leonard’s son Kevin should be here soon. Kevin has worked at GVYC much longer then I have. Being the only supervisor at the youth center can be overwhelming, especially if things get hectic. Scanning the room, I check and see a few kids hovered around the ping-pong and pool table on the far side of the room. Next to the entrance Manny and David are on the computers near the door to the court. In the corner of the youth center near the entrance I notice Jelvis, a youth who has been coming for around five months mandatory for shooting a BB gun off a roof. Jelvis is looking at a table that is filled with every sort of drug prevention and safe sex information pamphlets possible.

“Jelvis you need any advice about anything?” I say softly trying my best not too draw any attention from the other boys. “na I’m good” he responds while turning to walk away.

“Well if you ever need anything don’t hesitate to ask.” He smiles and then runs over to the TV to play video games. Even if there was something he needed to talk about I know I would probably not be the person he goes to. Working at the youth center I have found the most critical but also most difficult thing for a youth counselor to obtain is the youth’s trust. But once that trust is established you can really be most helpful to the adolescents is by listening, being there for them and trying to be the best role model possible.

Jay signals to me from the sofa to come over and play video games. As I am walking over to him, I slip over a book bag and fall dramatically. The entire room bursts into laughter. I try my best to play it off even though my feet are still sore from the basketball game and now I think I have a bruised knee.

It is almost five now and Manny comes up to me complaining, “Owen, I am so hungry, I need some food.” I hand Manny my phone and tell him to order two pies. Manny and Jay, like most kids at GVYC, have been coming here since they were so little it has developed into a second home for them. The walls are covered with photos. I look at the pictures and see Manny and Jay playing basketball, baseball, and hanging out. If you look closely you can watch them grow up and I wonder what the world ahead holds for them. I am watching Jay play a basketball video game against his closest friend Damani. They banter with each other to throw off each other’s concentration just to gain that edge. “Damani you only use LeBron cause you got no skill” As long as there is no use of any profanity I let them go at it

“But why you losing though?” Damani responds

“Because you are a cheater” Jay retorts

I space out for a few minutes watching the TV, when all of the sudden I hear commotion break out behind. “JELVIS GET OFF!!” I turn around to see Jelvis half under the Ping-Pong table holding one of his friends in a headlock on the floor. I bolt to my feet but the only thing I can think about is how much I dislike dealing with these situations. I roar at Jelvis, “Get off of him right now” but before I even get a chance to break them up a marvel happens. Crack! The door crashes against the table and Kevin flies threw the door. As if it were instinct he picks Jelvis off the ground and carries him outside. I check to make sure no one is hurt and then tell all the kids it is time to relax and if anybody needs help with their homework I will be by the computers. I sit back down extremely relieved that Kevin came in and dealt with the conflict. It isn’t that I can’t resolve those types of situations, but Kevin grew up in the neighborhood and has been here so long everyone respects him. This makes it much easier for him to handle situations when things are heated. I look up, amazed. Jelvis walks in front of Kevin and goes up the kid he just clashed with, apologizing then giving him a pound.

It is getting late and for the most part everybody was pretty well behaved today. I yell out, “Who wants pizza?” almost every one raises his hand. Serving food is always one of my favorite tasks not only because I get to eat but also it makes the youths very content and grateful. I try my best to divide the pies evenly and start to hand out slices. It always surprises me how generous the youngsters can be. If anyone is a bit dissatisfied there is always someone willing to share their slice or drink. It is getting late and I have to close up, but as usual Damani is begging to stay longer. I watch him for as long as I can but I need to get home because the exhaustion is starting to wear me down. As the youth center empties out and the “goodbye Owen’s” die down, I finish picking up the trash. This was just another routine day at the youth center. I grab the keys, lock the entrance, and make my way down the street between low-rise Eldridge buildings.