Arthur Holmes Mentors Youth

According to Tuesday Paige McDonald, Executive Director, City of Peekskill Youth Bureau, the goal of the bureau is to empower and encourage youths between the ages of 10 and 24 through various programs including work readiness. CHHOP is a partner organization of the Youth Bureau’s Workforce Innovation Opportunity Academy (WIOA) that gives students the opportunity to gain training, or a path to training, through internships and other job-related resources. 

During the six-week mentoring program 21-year old John* (name changed for privacy) works at Fred’s Pantry for 20 hours a week under the tutelage of Holmes. “The program introduces John to work and responsibility,” comments Holmes, who notes that John is paid by the City of Peekskill Youth Bureau. “He wants to work, he just doesn’t know what  he wants to do. At the moment, he needs a little guidance and direction.” 

The goal of the program says McDonald is “to make sure that there are no barriers  to employment for youth.” She notes that the programs are free and that any person between the ages of 10 and 24 are welcome to ask for help.

Holmes notes that his mentor really helped him find his way in life and he wants to do the same for someone else. “When I was that age, I didn’t want to be around people except for a certain group. I was working, but being on the streets was more important to me than working.”

During that challenging time, Holmes got his own mentor who helped him to go outside of his comfort zone. Holmes mentor took him places he had never been before such as art museums, he taught Holmes how to network and life skills. “One day I decided that I wanted to fly,” says Holmes. “I had wings and I’d never used them before. Then someone taught me how to use my wings and I was ready to move forward.”

When they are working together, Holmes talks to John about jobs that he may like. To broaden John’s world view, Holmes makes sure to get him outside of Peekskill to see other places and businesses. “He didn’t realize how big Peekskill itself really is because he had never really been outside of the town,” explains Holmes.

Now John goes around with Holmes on various errands to Restaurant Depot and other similar places where he learns about different jobs. “One of the things John is interested in is stocking shelves. He’s learning how to fill bags, balance different tasks and utilize space, things he will need to know in that job,” says Holmes.

Once the mentorship is over, Holmes plans to stay in touch with John to help him learn  how to use his wings to fly.