From Club kid to Club professional, Elayna Sherwood, MSW has come full circle. As our Child Care and Family Wellness Coordinator, Elayna plays a vital role in supporting young people and families across our programs. Whether she’s helping a parent navigate child care subsidy paperwork, ensuring we meet licensing requirements, or guiding a Club member through an emotional moment, Elayna brings compassion, perspective, and professionalism to everything she does. Her journey—rooted in her own childhood experiences at the Asbury Park Club—has shaped her commitment to creating a safe, affirming space for every young person who walks through our doors.
How old were you when you started coming to the Club as a member and what was your favorite thing about the Club when you were a kid?
I started coming to the Asbury Park Club around 8 years old. My favorite thing about the Club was participating in SMART Girls with Miss Ebony and Miss Selena. They provided a safe environment for us to share our experiences as we were moving into the “awkward ages,” and we were able to talk about subjects that we may not have felt comfortable talking about at home. SMART Girls taught me a lot about basic life-skills and self-esteem. We had a graduation at the end of the program, where we walked a red carpet and received awards. We all wore yellow. Clearly it was a very memorable experience!
Who was your favorite staff member?
My favorite staff member was Mr. Aaron. He always made sure that we felt supported and cared for, making us laugh and getting us out of our comfort zones. Aaron was a perfect example of why it is so important to remember where you come from and to give back to your community. Even as we Club kids became adults, Aaron still showed us the same support, no matter how long it had been since he saw us, or how long we had been away from the Club.
What do you like most about working at the Club?
I love the fact that I am able to give back to a place that impacted me so much as a child. Because I grew up at the Club, I know how influential the Club can be. It is a very rewarding experience to be able to provide support to Club members and their families. Whether it’s helping develop a new policy, or giving members a few minutes to regulate their emotions, every day is a rewarding experience. There is no other youth development agency in this area that provides support like the Club does. Working with like-minded individuals who understand the importance of pouring into our young people day in and day out is a gift.
What do you think the kids like most about you?
We conducted focus groups a few months ago, and one of the things members said was that I always make them laugh! I think the kids appreciate the fact that I am a big kid myself. I love laughing with them and joking with the kids. It makes the not-so-fun parts of my job more fun.
What does a typical work day look like for you?
Every day is completely different! There are three major components to my role: providing assistance to families with the Child Care Resources subsidy application process, maintaining licensing compliance within our Clubs, and providing behavioral support to our members. Some days I may be focused strictly on supporting families with Child Care Resources, the next day I might be doing Department of Health inspections for summer camp, another day I might be meeting with parents and site coordinators to develop a behavioral support plan for members. No two days are the same at the Club; every day is robust and a completely unique experience.
How do you want to be remembered by our Club members?
I strive to be the person I needed when I was younger. I want Club members to remember me as someone who supported them and provided them with a safe environment, where they could be themselves. Someone that they could come to for advice, to vent to, or even just a person that listened to them.
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