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the buzz

“A New Year's Favor”

I don’t often ask for personal favors on The Strong Buzz (in fact, this may be a first), but this situation is one that I feel warrants an exception. I am writing about a young man named Arland, also known as "AI,” who is looking for a job: it can be in a mail room, on a loading dock, in a stock room, or a file clerk. He’ll do any sort of restaurant work – busboy, prep, dishwasher, porter, pretty much anything you need. Ideally it will be a position where he can move up once he has proven himself. Now, a little about Arland, and why I am reaching you to all of you for help.

I know Arland through my friend Court (you may recognize his name from past reviews). Court is a former federal prosecutor and he has been Arland's mentor for the past year and a half.

Life has dealt Arland a pretty lousy hand in his 21 years on this earth. The son of Dominican and Haitian immigrants, he grew up in extreme poverty in Brownsville, Brooklyn.  Like too many young people who are similarly situated, Arland has no relationship with his mother and father.  He spent the better part of his youth in the New York City foster care system.  He turned to the streets at a relatively young age and found a surrogate family in the "Bloods" street gang.

Like most gang members, Arland has had his share of encounters with the criminal justice system. But unlike his fellow soldiers in the Bloods, however, Arland was lucky enough to find The Door, a center that provides educational, arts, vocational training, and other services for at-risk young people.  There, he discovered a sanctuary where he was able to disconnect from the streets and gain exposure to another way of life.  He encountered people who were genuinely concerned for his well being and willing to invest their time and energy in him.  

Through his experience at The Door, Arland came to recognize his numerous talents, including a keenly sharp intellect and an remarkable gift for poetry.  Recently, Arland earned his GED.  We are now discussing colleges, something he never thought possible.

Lest I paint too rosy a picture, let me say that Arland's process of personal growth has not been without its setbacks.  Abandoning gang life is an extremely stressful, potentially dangerous path, and Arland's case has been no exception. And, as he will readily admit, some of the obstacles Arland has confronted along the way have been self- imposed. Despite the hurdles, however, my friend Arland has an unstoppable resolve to defy the statistics and make something of himself.

Several months ago, Arland lost his job at UPS.  He has since been participating in a vocational readiness program and aggressively pursuing employment opportunities. Unfortunately, the economic downturn has rendered those opportunities scarce, as the competition for the few positions that are available has become fierce.  That fact is only exacerbated by Arland's criminal history.  While this has been extraordinarily frustrating period fraught with disappointments, Arland has maintained an incredibly positive attitude.  He is determined to keep his forward momentum going and is redoubling his efforts to find work.

So, as I said at the beginning of this plea, Arland needs a job. And if you have a position you need filled, whether in a mail room, kitchen, or loading dock, some place where he can get a foothold, I’d appreciate it if you would send me an email (andrea@thestrongbuzz.com), and let me know about it. Arland needs someone to see the ambitious, hopeful person he is today, and not judge him based on the results of a background check.

Thank you all for taking the time to read this and to consider whether you can help. 

Andrea

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Posted: January 6, 2010 - 8:02 pm

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