Pasadena Police and Fire Departments Collaborate With Flintridge Center to Mentor Youth

 

On Monday, August 22, from 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. Police Chief Phillip Sanchez and Fire Chief Dennis Downs will put on their bike helmets to lead a group of middle school students and their mentors on a bicycle ride around the Rose Bowl.

The 20 students and 17 volunteer mentors are from Flintridge Center’s ―Youth of Promise Mentoring Program, which helps youth who are struggling to overcome multiple challenges—failing grades, high absentee/truancy and behavioral problems at home and at school.

The mentors, who are all Pasadena Police and Fire Department employees, meet weekly with the students, either one-on-one or in small groups to provide educational and social support so that each young person can successfully reach his or her full potential. This innovative program was started by Flintridge Center at Washington Middle School in the spring of 2010.

After the ride, the students will be able to keep the bicycles and helmets. The helmets are donated by the Pasadena Police Foundation and the Pasadena Police Athletic Association and the bikes are a gift from a local supporter of Flintridge Center’s youth programs. Book bags and school supplies will be donated by Jaylene Moseley.

“Police and Fire personnel are commended for volunteering as mentors in an effort to make a difference in a young person’s life” said Chief Phillip L. Sanchez.

“The police and fire fighters are inspirational role models and the students’ grades and attitudes have improved,”  said Flintridge Center Program Director Ricky Pickens, Jr.

The event will begin with a bicycle safety lesson from 9 – 10 a.m. ( in Lot ―H at Rosemont and Seco) after which the cyclists will make several loops around the Rose Bowl accompanied by a police motorcycle escort.

From 11:30 – 1:00 p.m., the mentors, students and their family members will enjoy a tasty barbecue lunch. Invited guests include Mayor Bill Bogaard and Councilmember Jacque Robinson.