Today we’d like to introduce you to Asha Kenley.
Hi Asha, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I started my career in the school system as a Special Ed instructional assistant. I worked there for 12 years, and during my summers, I worked for Durham Parks and Rec. I loved working in Parks and Rec because every day offered something different. After 12 years in the school system, I decided to leave and pursue a full-time job in Parks and Rec. Luckily, I was hired in Danville, VA, as an assistant director for a senior facility called Ballou Rec Center. This was a complete change from what I had previously done because now I would be working with active adults! I enjoyed the challenge of scheduling similar performers, creating holiday programs, and their all-time favorite, calling Bingo games! While I enjoyed working there, I felt something was missing—that was working with children. So, I decided to leave Ballou after 6 months and work for the YMCA in Sanford, NC, as the Youth Director. This YMCA was one of the smaller branches of the YMCA of the Triad, but you couldn’t tell. We made sure our presence was felt at every YMCA! I was in charge of three after-school programs and a summer camp with 75 enrolled children. I made this summer camp special by taking us on field trips and creating lasting experiences. After a great 8 months, I decided to leave and apply for the position of assistant director with the City of Raleigh. I served as assistant director for a year and a half before my director decided to take another position elsewhere. I felt I was ready to step into his shoes and apply for the director role, which brings us to now—year 2, and I love it!
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It hasn’t always been a smooth road. Working in the school system for so long, I feel kind of held me back in a sense because I was comfortable in that role. I knew I wanted more, but I was afraid to go for more. And with the pay, I was hardly making ends meet. I was lucky to have worked at a great and supportive school. I decided that I wanted to attend graduate school, and all the teachers I worked with at Weatherstone Elementary were very supportive.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Working in Parks and Rec, you get a chance to listen to the community you serve. Discover their needs and wants, and explore how we can make them a reality. Every year at Worthdale Community Center, we offer four major programs to our community that are free to all. We have a Bookbag Giveaway, a Fall Festival, A Holiday Giveaway, and a Welcome to Summer Event. All of these events are free, and we make sure to give back to the community with the help of an organization called Women Who Care. We also make sure our programs are inclusive to all and listen to feedback from our community on what programs they’d like to see us host.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
I’m always looking online for ideas, seeing what some of the latest trends are, and how we can bring them here.
