Edison Jaquez
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PERTH AMBOY – What happens when passion and purpose unite for a cause? When there is a vision and a plan, the momentum lays the groundwork that can move mountains, make communities stronger, and give inner city youth a positive message to keep them off the streets and on the right path. This is the dream that fuels the heart of Edison Jaquez and what has led him to start a new program for Perth Amboy’s youth.

Working as a mentor for many years, Jaquez has created a mentoring program by the name of B-Men. B-Men, a 6 week program aimed towards educating and creating positive influences for Perth Amboy’s male youth, will launch on October 14, 2013. Why the name B-Men? “I chose B-Men for two reasons,” stated Jaquez, “the first is that I want to take our Boys and make them into Men. The second is that it is a way of telling the young boys to Be Men and make the right choices in life.”

Jaquez, alongside a group of dedicated professional volunteers, will work with at-risk male youth age 17 and older in a non-traditional setting. Classes will vary week to week and include topics such as resume building, financial management, college preparation, interviewing skills and much more.

“I will speak to them on a level that they understand because I too came from the same lifestyle and have changed for the better. I was raised in one of the ‘Projects’ of Perth Amboy,” says Jaquez, “I saw and lived the life that I am trying to have these young men avoid. I learned hard lessons and saw things I do not want our youth to live or see.”

Recruitment is ongoing. Classes will be held on Monday’s and Wednesdays from 6-8 PM at the Renovation House located at 200 Jefferson Street, Perth Amboy, NJ. There is a fee of $5.00 per class.

The ideas and ideals that are inside Jaquez are genuine, as is his passion. “I just want to leave a legacy for all the youth with a dream,” he says. “I tell my kids don’t let anyone say you can’t become whoever you would like to become.” And the dreamer passes along another valuable lesson.

To learn about the New B-Men Mentoring Program please contact Edison Jaquez at 732-362-1897 or email B-Men at BMenMentoring@gmail.com.