By John Katrina
Ret. Lt. Eric Ervin, a 30 year devotee to mentoring youth through the Police Athletic League and his own personal programs, held a mock interview session at RoxboroughHigh School Wednesday, May 6.
The Fifth Police District Mentoring Program has been working with students at RHS for three years now to help them prepare for jobs with resumes, professional communication and dress, and interviewing skills.
This is what it all boils down to in the mentoring program: mutual trust. (Photo courtesy of John Katrina)
Together with Troy Kelly of Life University DYP, and John Katrina of The Citizen Body, the three have teamed up to bring a unique blend of police, local businesses, elected officials, and residents to support and encourage the students toward a professional path both during and after high school.
Participants included Dr. Minerva Cruz, EdD, a professor at Villanova University, Lt. Donald West of the Philadelphia Police Department, Kyle Waters, Senior Analyst at Keenova Therapeutics (a former mentee of Lt. Ervin), and Jill Weingarten-Stein, Constituent Service Director for State Representative Tarik Khan.
Retired Lt. Eric Ervin demonstrates the goal for the student’s professional attire. (Photo courtesy of John Katrina)
RHS Program Director Kyle Waters, himself a mentee of Eric Ervin, interviews one of the student mentees. (Photo courtesy of John Katrina)
An eager mentee impresses Lt. Donald West with his positive attitude and conscientiousness. (Photo courtesy of John Katrina)
RHS Program Coordinator Kyle Waters made sure that everyone got a taste of D’Alessandro’s famous sandwiches. (Photo courtesy of John Katrina)
Slugging Fifth District Officer Bill Verica batted cleanup for the Mentors in their wiffle ball game with the students. (Photo courtesy of John Katrina)
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Retired Lt. Eric Ervin demonstrates the goal for the student’s professional attire. (Photo courtesy of John Katrina)
After the interviews Steve Kotridis, owner of Dalessandros Steaks, donated and personally delivered lunch for the young job seekers.
Rey Sylla, RHS Program Coordinator, said that this is the first mock interview session RHS has done for mentees under the programs he manages.
After the interviews and some delicious sandwiches from Dalessandros, the mentors and police took on the students in another athletic contest — wiffle ball.
The Mentors started out strong but the Mentees quickly figured how to hit Katrina’s fastball, and took a three run lead by the third inning.
The Mentors charged back with a bases-loaded single that drove in two runs and went ahead 6-5.
But in the bottom of the ninth, the students pulled off another heartbreaker for the Mentors, besting their bats for a final Mentees 8, Mentors 6 game.
The Mentees are now undefeated in (two) basketball contests and (one) wiffle ball game against the Mentors.
Volunteers are prepped for student interviews by program founder Eric Ervin prior to their arrival. (Photo courtesy of John Katrina)
The program is growing and looks forward to working with the same group of students next year for further professional preparation and development.
Rey Sylla and the staff wanted to recognize and thank Roma Pizza, Sunshine Sandwich Shop, Wawa, Tony Roni’s Pizza, Potheads Coffee Shop, and Dalessandros, as well as The Roxborough Development Corporation for their generous donations and support throughout the semester, that helps the students enjoy a local favorite eatery each week and to feel the support of the community in their career aspirations.