Creating Bridges for Youth
As Mayor, one of my jobs is to create bridges.
We need bridges because every journey requires help. One journey that no one escapes, and where everyone can use a hand, is growing through adolescence.
Our Youth Bureau is a bridge to help our kids survive and thrive on the many challenges of middle and high school.
This week, I was honored to introduce Darren Prince to 120 students from Mount Vernon High School at our Youth Summit. Prince is a role model with a story that is cautionary, inspirational and speaks to the demons and angels in all of us.
At 14, Prince started a mail order company selling baseball cards. By the time he was 20, he had sold the company for $1 million and started a new company, which became a leader in private autograph signings. His list of sports icon and celebrity clients includes Muhammad Ali, Magic Johnson, Pele, Joe Montana, Smokin’ Joe Frazier, Dennis Rodman, Hulk Hogan, Pamela Anderson, Carmen Electra and Jenny McCarthy.
Success was his. But not so fast. His story also includes arrests, drug overdoses, bankruptcy, car accidents, and the loss of family and friends — all the result of years of opioid addiction.
It is recounted with brutal honesty in his best-selling memoir “Aiming High.” Over the course of an hour, he shared it all — from bad choices to redemption — with the students. Brutal honesty. (Addiction will bring you to your knees.) Advice. (Find someone to talk to: a guidance counselor, a friend.) Hope. (People will support you.)
Today, he is focused on recovery and helping others.
“You are not just changing that person that is suffering,” he said. “You are helping every single friend, family member, colleague and loved one in that person’s life.”
Many thanks to Darren for bringing his message to Mount Vernon and being a bridge for our youth. Click here to watch his inspiring presentation.
Through the Youth Bureau and Recreation Department, my administration is actively creating bridges for our kids on all levels during winter break. These events are more than just entertaining activities; they are concrete ways to make sure we stay in touch with our young people. We hope you, your young children and teens, choose to spend Winter Break with us.
WINTER BREAK SCHEDULE
· Babysitting certification, Dec 27th and 28th, from 9am to 4pm at Mount Vernon Library. Young people learn life-saving skills, basic childcare, and how to start a baby-care business.
· Paint and Sparkle, the Memorial Room at City Hall will be open to artists who want to flex their creative muscles. Dec 27th and 28th, from 10 am to noon for ages 8–12; and 2pm to 4pm for ages 13–18.
· Boxing at the Doles Center gym will be open from 11am to 2pm on Dec 27th and 28th for those who want to flex their actual muscles.
· GameTime, a mobile video GAME VAN, will take over City Hall Plaza. Get ready to show up the competition with some friendly fun from 11am to 2pm, Dec 27th and 28th.
· Free Music Session at the Mount Vernon Music School, 250 S. 6th Avenue, Dec 28th from 11am to 2pm.
· Cosmic IQ: Mobile Planetarium Experience, Dec 27th at the Doles Center. Kids can expect to take a trip to stars.
Call or email my office at 914–665–2361 or MayorThomas@cmvny.com for more information about youth programs. We look forward to sharing the holidays with you.
