Hamilton teens honored for completing summer mentoring program

A special graduation was held Friday to recognize 46 graduates of a local summer job and mentoring program for teens.

The job and mentoring program for youth ages 13-18 in Hamilton started its second year June 9, but ran into fiscal challenges as some sponsors had backed out, but thanks to several businesses and community members, the program was kept afloat.

MORE: Funding issues put summer youth program in jeopardy

Mathews, who has previously said she plans to run for a seat on Hamilton City Council this fall, was beaming with pride as she called out the names of the graduates to present them with certificates for their accomplishments.

“This says a lot about the community and how it came together to support these kids,” said Shaquila “Shaq” Mathews, a Hamilton pastor who started the program. “When you kids leave here after this program I expect you to become leaders. You can already to start to make an impact in your community right now. That is the purpose of this program is to put you in a position to be leaders and have a positive impact in the city.”

The Pastor Shaq Job/Mentoring Youth Program was held at the Booker T. Washington Community Center and engaged youth in a variety of activities aimed at personal development. In addition to performing community service, youths also helped keep the city clean by picking up trash and other activities. They were paid $25 per day for their work.

Hamilton Mayor Pat Moeller told the program’s graduates Friday that they can aspire to become anything they want to be and the city will welcome them as productive citizens as they grow up.

Moeller gave the example of former NFL quarterback Johnny Manziel who was a first-round draft pick by the Cleveland Browns in 2014 but was released last March after dealing with substance abuse and legal issues.

“He squandered an opportunity,” Moeller said. “But you folks didn’t squander an opportunity by joining this program and learning about opportunities that you have.”

Fire Chief Steve Dawson said several of the youth in the program expressed an interest in learning more about becoming a firefighter. He discussed with the graduates the requirements that need to be met in order to make that happen.

“This is really a great program that will give these young folks exposure to a lot of jobs and opportunities that they might not get to experience,” Dawson said, as a handful of firefighters gathered at the graduation to talk about their job.

For 14-year-old Derriahyna Singletary, who will be attending the Hamilton Freshman School this fall, the experience in the program has made a difference in her life.

“I have been in it for both years and it is really fun and helpful because we experience so much,” Singletary said. “It is also good that it keeps people off the streets and gets them involved with something positive.”

About the Author