Week 3: Highlights from the Pearl Summer Youth Employment Program
- Cinevize
- Jul 29
- 2 min read
At Pearl Resources, Inc., we believe that when young people are given access to opportunity, support, and inspiration, they rise to meet the challenge. Week 3 of the Pearl Summer Youth Employment Program is proof of just that.
This past week, our students were hard at work. Learning, exploring, and growing in every space they entered. As part of their summer experience, students are placed at various job sites across Rochester to gain hands-on training and exposure to career-building environments. This week, we’re spotlighting the students placed at Agape Black Belt Center and the W.O.R.K. Program.
Making a Difference at Agape Black Belt Center
The teens assigned to Agape Black Belt Center had a unique opportunity to step into the role of mentors and caretakers as they worked with toddlers in Agape’s Summer School program. Throughout the week, these young leaders supported daily lessons, playtime, and activities that foster emotional and social development for the children. It was a rewarding week of discipline, patience, empathy, and growth for all involved.
W.O.R.K. Program: Career Exploration & Life Skills
Meanwhile, the W.O.R.K. Program students engaged in a packed week of high-impact learning:
Tuesday, July 22 – Students visited Junior Achievement to experience what it’s like to run a business. They were assigned executive and operational roles, practiced selling to one another, and collaborated to build a functioning mini-economy. The day offered real-world insight into entrepreneurship, teamwork, and leadership.
Midweek – A major focus was placed on artificial intelligence and the role it plays in today’s workforce. Students were introduced to prompt engineering and learned how to use platforms like ChatGPT, Google Gemini, and Perplexity AI effectively and ethically. This tech-forward training will serve them well as they navigate future academic and career landscapes.
Thursday, July 24 – The week concluded with a visit to Monroe Community College, where students participated in an interactive science workshop exploring the physics of light. From creating lenses and starting fires using magnification, to understanding how telescopes work, students were captivated by the wonders of optics.
Saturdays at Agape: Bootcamp, Taekwondo & Life Lessons
Each Saturday, every student in the program reconvenes for a full-day bootcamp at Agape Black Belt Center, a pillar of our summer experience. Students continue their Taekwondo training and this week, they learned to spar respectfully with partners, building both skill and self-control.
They also participated in a personal development session led by Dr. Halimah Ouedraogo of Ne-Taba International, where they read and discussed chapters 4 and 5 of "The 7 Daily Habits for Teenagers". These sessions are designed to help students reflect, set goals, and grow into the best versions of themselves.
Rochester Mentor Up Summer Soirée
To top off an exciting week, several of our students attended the Rochester Mentor Up Summer Soirée 2025 on Saturday evening. This event connected our youth with local mentors, professionals, and community leaders. It was a chance to celebrate their progress, gain encouragement, and build valuable relationships for the future.
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