April 2018 - Parks & Recreation - 64

NRPA Update

Member Spotlight: Sabrina Steward
By Vitisia Paynich

I

t's probably safe to say that Sabrina Steward has parks and recreation in her
genes. More specifically, she and her family have had a direct connection to the
Chicago Park District for nearly 50 years.
" My mother was a P.E. teacher and later chose a career path in sports and
recreation and ended up working for the Chicago Park District for 25 years, " explains
Steward. " Being around my mom helped to mold me and develop this love I have for
parks and recreation. "
Following in her mom's footsteps, Steward now serves as south region area manager
for the Chicago Park District. Parks & Recreation magazine recently sat down with her
to learn why she chose this career, how local teens are making an important difference,
and what challenges young people on the south side of Chicago face today.
Parks & Recreation: How did you come
to choose parks and recreation as your
career path?
Sabrina Steward: As a child, I participated in many Chicago Park District
activities: swimming, dancing, gymnastics, seasonal sports and day camp
every summer. Once I became of age, I
worked as a seasonal recreational leader for the Chicago Park District, and I
did this through my high school and
college years. After graduating from
college, like my mom, I taught physical education for five years. But it was
during that time, I realized how much
I missed working for the Chicago Park
District and how my passion was being
in the park and recreation world. So, I
resigned as a P.E. teacher and took an
entry-level position as an hourly physical instructor for the Chicago Park
District. And over the course of my 23
years, I'd worked my way up to my current position as an area manager. Most
importantly, I couldn't have pursued
my career in parks and recreation without the support of my loving husband,
son and parents.
P&R: Tell us about your role as south
region area manager.
Steward: As an area manager for the

62

Parks & Recreation

Chicago Park District, I oversee and
manage day-to-day operations for 14
staffed park locations and a multitude
of play lots on the south side of Chicago. As for my team and me, we focus
on the district's core mission of providing high-quality leisure services and
recreation activities to our Chicago residents and visitors.

I couldn't have pursued
my career in parks and
recreation without the
support of my loving
husband, son and parents.
P&R: I understand you are
spearheading some new teen
initiatives. Can you elaborate on
those initiatives?
Steward: Under my title, I hold an additional title of lead committee person
for a program called, Teen Leadership
Connection, that's for teens and led by
teens. Teen Leadership Connection applies to all the teens from the south side

| A P R I L 2 0 1 8 | W W W. PA R K S A N D R E C R E AT I O N . O R G

of Chicago, who participate in their local
neighborhood parks.
[Each] month, we come together and
these teens plan, implement and give us
new, innovative ideas to keep our teen
programs flourishing in the Chicago
Park District. Teen Leadership Connection consists of 17 parks within the south
region, and we have approximately 210
participants who are very involved in civic engagement, participate in park and
rec activities, and do outreach. In addition, there's a teen council that advises
park staff on how to [enhance] teen programs - not just at a local level, but also
on a citywide level.
These teens are very committed, and
they have engaged in things, such as raising over $4,000 for charity: water, which
helped build a well in Ethiopia. They collected 321 bags full of donated clothing
for the organization, SAVERS; they collected over 1,800 pairs of used shoes for
a charity called, Sole to Soul. Through
their work, they have been recognized by
WE Day and by an organization called,
Doing Something Good in the Hood.
P&R: What are some of the main
challenges you currently face
regarding teen engagement?
Steward: As staff at parks and rec, we
have to be very appreciative in providing
April 2018 - Parks & Recreation

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of April 2018 - Parks & Recreation
