Both Torbert and the program have partnered with the Boy Scouts of America to achieve their goals.

For that, the Boy Scouts Greater Pittsburgh Council awarded each of them the Whitney M. Young Jr. Service Award on Thursday night.

"This is in recognition of the outstanding service they have done for our low-income youth," said Charles Flowers, chief operating officer of the Pittsburgh Boy Scouts.

The Scouts give the award every year; it may go to a person or an organization.

More than 300 people attended the 20th annual dinner at the Senator John Heinz History Center in the Strip District. The Rev. William Curtis, senior pastor at Mt. Ararat Baptist Church in Larimer, gave the keynote speech.

"This award is really a bonus in my life," Torbert said. "It's a rewarding aspect of my extension to the communities of Pittsburgh."

Since October, Torbert has directed a UPMC program that educates K-12 students about career options in health care. Before that, she served as the Pittsburgh Pirates director of diversity.

Torbert sat on a Scouts Pittsburgh Council committee that helped urban youth. She brought many Scouts to PNC Park to help them earn badges, Torbert said.

Smiley said the Scouts build character and offer urban youth activities they otherwise might never experience such as camping, fishing and hiking.

Her program is part of the nonprofit Family Resources. It operates units in 19 Allegheny County public housing developments and provides youth activities that include Boy Scouts and homework help, Smiley said.

"This award means a lot," she said. "Just being able to partner with the Boy Scouts helps give our kids opportunities."

Preston Davis, 17, an Eagle Scout from Wilkinsburg, said people like Torbert and Smiley give troops without much money the chance to do more fun things such as camping and other outings.

And Quentin Nash, 16, a Scout from Penn Hills, said that type of support creates "mentors for Scouts, so they can see what they can try to be."

Whitney M. Young Jr. was an educator and civil rights leader who fought for blacks and other minority groups in industry and government during his 10 years as head of the National Urban League, Flowers said. Young died in 1971.