Irwin Royster admits he's a little uneasy when I tell him I want to write a piece recognizing his unflagging work as director of outreach and education prevention services for Planned Parenthood in Ward 7.

Instead, he wants to focus on Planned Parenthood's mission: to promote and protect the health of women and teens.

"It takes the whole community to help me to do my job here at Planned Parenthood," he says, modestly. "I would say it’s these resources and recognizing these resources and utilizing these resources that helps me to do my job."

And that job keeps Royster extremely busy.

For example, he is intimately involved in the celebrated Ward 7 HIV Collaborative that is bringing millions for HIV services to organizations east of the river.

Then there are Planned Parenthood's ongoing efforts to partner with churches, schools and business on HIV/AIDS and other health education and prevention services.

And he also is dedicated to expanding the Ophelia Egypt clinic and community resource center.

Among other attributes, Royster has a knack for connecting with people and spreading his message. He has a perpetual smile, an energetic spirit and a contagious laugh.

Since joining Planned Parenthood 2002, Royster said he has seen a small Ophelia Egypt clinic expand to include a burgeoning center for teens, as well as adults, to seek support on a variety of issues.

"I call it our little community change center," Royster says.

Royster's special mission now is to guide 30 teenagers through a peer-mentoring program that trains them how educate their friends about HIV/AIDS and safe sex.

He’s visibly proud when he talks about his program's teens. He tells me about their accomplishments since joining the group. He runs through a library of pictures of the kids from activities, events and discussion groups.

There’s a camaraderie and respect among the teens and Royster.

“I’m hoping that these 30 [teens] will go out and tell another 60” about HIV/AIDS and safe sex, he says.

"As long they get access to the center, as long as they can be my subject matter experts, they can educate their peers.”

He adds, “When they leave, a new crop will come in, and before you know it we’ll have a whole community knowing something, and we’ll do it by one individual at a time.”

Royster admits he gets tired. Don't we all?

“But when you come back in, and someone says, ‘Irwin, I got an A at school today.’ Or ‘I got accepted to Babson [College] or Moorehouse.’

You know – it’s all worth it,” he says, adding with a laugh, “Let’s work a couple more hours.”