A group of high-achieving teens are on the move in city businesses and government as participants in a successful three-year old youth development program geared towards preparation for higher education and the work market. The “Martin Luther King Cultural Center In Partnership With Schools” program, under the auspices of the Eleanor Roosevelt Center at Val-Kill, puts students to work afterschool and weekends. Neighboring associates include Poughkeepsie, Dover, Pawling and Wetabuck.Almost twenty youth-friendly Beacon firms are currently taking high school students under their wing to offer on-the-job experience. These are joined by over 100 businesses and public center organizations countywide.
The program has major funding support from the Dutchess County Workfore Investment Board, the Dyson Foundation and the Dutchess County Youth Bureau. “The future of our county will be much more positive if we address the employment needs of our young people, our emerging workforce,” said Dutchess County Executive William Steinhaus.
“This program is open to each and every Beacon teen who is willing to work hard,” said Beacon Councilmember at-large Eleanor Thompson and MLK program organizer. “Also, we’re always looking for more business owners for mentorship so the kids can develop marketable workforce skills. Creating a positive relation with the community is also an integral piece.” Thompson is currently running for NY State Assembly on the Democratic/Working Families ticket for District 100 against incumbent Republican/Conservative Thomas Kirwan.
In addition to normal working hours, some teens do public service outreach on weekends. According to Debra Adamsons, owner of World’s End Books on Main Street, “On Saturdays some of the students board the trolley that meets the 12:17 train from Grand Central and several after that. They give out brochures to visitors with information on Second Saturday events in and around Main Street and answer questions. This is a great way to help educate people how culture, natural beauty, history and ecology meets in our city.”
Brittany Burnley, Shayla Joyner, Tyheisha Davis and Da-Vetta Darity, all either freshmen or sophomores at Beacon High School are current participants. Male members of the Teen Rangers work in the parks and are supervised by the Public Works Department. They are Maurice Irving and Mark Power. “More people should avail themselves of this service,” said Adamsons. “This trolley could potentially be part of the bridge between the cities of Beacon and Newburgh. If the ferry service ran on weekends, visitors could easily travel back and forth then take the trolley around town.”
Mentoring organizations include Angelo’s, Beacon Arts Community Association (BACA), Back Room Gallery, Bannerman’s Realty, Beacon Community Center, BJ’s Restaurant, BJ’s Antiques, City of Beacon, Dutchess County Action Center, Howland Cultural Center, Jamaican Spice Restaurant, Kringle’s Christmas House, Muddy Cup Coffeehouse, Natural Foods Market and World’s End Books.
The program has major funding support from the Dutchess County Workfore Investment Board, the Dyson Foundation and the Dutchess County Youth Bureau. “The future of our county will be much more positive if we address the employment needs of our young people, our emerging workforce,” said Dutchess County Executive William Steinhaus.
“This program is open to each and every Beacon teen who is willing to work hard,” said Beacon Councilmember at-large Eleanor Thompson and MLK program organizer. “Also, we’re always looking for more business owners for mentorship so the kids can develop marketable workforce skills. Creating a positive relation with the community is also an integral piece.” Thompson is currently running for NY State Assembly on the Democratic/Working Families ticket for District 100 against incumbent Republican/Conservative Thomas Kirwan.
In addition to normal working hours, some teens do public service outreach on weekends. According to Debra Adamsons, owner of World’s End Books on Main Street, “On Saturdays some of the students board the trolley that meets the 12:17 train from Grand Central and several after that. They give out brochures to visitors with information on Second Saturday events in and around Main Street and answer questions. This is a great way to help educate people how culture, natural beauty, history and ecology meets in our city.”
Brittany Burnley, Shayla Joyner, Tyheisha Davis and Da-Vetta Darity, all either freshmen or sophomores at Beacon High School are current participants. Male members of the Teen Rangers work in the parks and are supervised by the Public Works Department. They are Maurice Irving and Mark Power. “More people should avail themselves of this service,” said Adamsons. “This trolley could potentially be part of the bridge between the cities of Beacon and Newburgh. If the ferry service ran on weekends, visitors could easily travel back and forth then take the trolley around town.”
Mentoring organizations include Angelo’s, Beacon Arts Community Association (BACA), Back Room Gallery, Bannerman’s Realty, Beacon Community Center, BJ’s Restaurant, BJ’s Antiques, City of Beacon, Dutchess County Action Center, Howland Cultural Center, Jamaican Spice Restaurant, Kringle’s Christmas House, Muddy Cup Coffeehouse, Natural Foods Market and World’s End Books.
