‘There’s still a lot of work that needs to be done here’
Barry Smith, 62, is the executive founder of Youth Empowerment Services (YES) in New Brunswick, a non-profit organization whose main goal is providing positive after-school activities for at-risk youth in the city.
This profile is part of the series, “The New Jersey 37,” which focuses on residents making up the 37 percent of households in state that cannot afford basic needs such as health care, housing, food, child care, and transportation.
It’s another hectic day at Youth Empowerment Services (YES) in New Brunswick.
There are children and teenagers scurrying up and down, eager to learn and have fun. The mentors teaching them have the same look of hopefulness and excitement on their faces.
The non-profit organization is wedged between two buildings and a person casually walking past it wouldn’t realize that this hidden gem is having a profound impact on the youth of New Brunswick.
Barry Smith, the man who created this place of solace for at-risk youth, walks around and interacts with the children. For Smith, his mission is simple: for every child and teenager to have an equal opportunity and to keep them off the streets so they can succeed in life.
Smith, 62, a New Brunswick native, went to elementary school and high school in the area. After graduating high school in 1972, Smith went to Nyack College in New York where he majored in sociology and anthropology.
Nyack College is known for its affiliation with Christian and missionary alliances, and soon after graduating Smith went into ministry. After working with youth and churches for 18 years, he became a senior pastor in his hometown of New Brunswick, a position he held for five years.
“During my tenure at the church, a friend called me and said they are looking for someone with a position that was made for me,” said Smith.
“I went to a meeting and it was mentors talking about their victories and struggles with their “mentees.” I worked with my friend for about 26 months. I realized I wanted to create an organization of my own so I started building a relationship with the children and adults of New Brunswick.”
With a desire to lend his community a helping hand, and guided by his religious beliefs, Smith established YES in 2003 with his son-in-law, Jeffrey Hayes Jr.
A place for at-risk youth in Trump’s America
YES has been hugely successful since its inception.
According to their website, over 2,000 kids have received YES services since its inception, 250-plus this year alone, and over 1,550 hours are offered annually to children in the community. YES says that teenagers and children who were part of YES have gone on to colleges such as Rutgers University and University of Pennsylvania.
The children YES serves are as diverse as the community — white, Latino, African-American. And while the reasons why the children attend may be equally diverse, Smith said the organization provides a place for at risk youth to get away from the streets and being productive.
Smith said he believes that the families who enroll their kids into YES’s multitude of programs want something better for their children. With such a strong Latino community in New Brunswick, this idea has taken on a different meaning since the election.
Many of the children who enroll in YES come from immigrant families, Smith said, and under the Trump administration this has created a climate of fear within the community.
“Having Trump as a president has scared off some of them from attending but we still persevere,” Smith said.
And yet, Smith said last year YES saw record enrollment. With an increase in enrollment — and by extension an increase in revenue — the organization is looking to expand the programs offered, which include basketball camp, summer camp, and adult classes as well.
The adult classes include learning spoken English, resume writing, and practicing for applying for citizenship.
Highs and lows
The organization itself has gone through challenges. When co-founder Jeffrey Hayes Jr., Smith’s son-in-law, passed away in 2008, it left Smith with a heavy burden.
“When he passed away, I took a year off to reflect on everything and was deciding if I wanted to keep doing this. My daughter took it the hardest, obviously, but she joined the board soon after and we kept working.” Smith said.
Getting to work has paid off. In 2016, Smith was recognized by Rutgers University President Robert Barchi for his efforts in establishing a foundation that is a positive impact on the New Brunswick community.
Barchi wants Smith to consider opening other YES establishments in other communities that Rutgers is in — Newark and Camden.
It’s flattering, but Smith is hesitant.
“We’re adding and subtracting programs all the time. There’s still a lot of work that needs to be done here and I don’t think I can handle all that work,” Smith said. “Maybe one day, but for now, I’m focusing on the Youth Empowerment Services in New Brunswick.”
