Trenton Youth Beef Up On Their Business Skills

LAWRENCE— Trenton parents and youth head to Rider University to sharpen their business skills. Sunday afternoon, Anwar’s Reflections— a Trentonian affiliate— attended a parent-student orientation for the Minding Our Business (MOB) Program at Rider University. The MOB program is designed to give Trenton area youth from the 6^th, 7^th, and 8^th grade, the opportunity to develop their business and entrepreneurial skills during the summer while school is out. Each student is trained on how to start and run a business. The program was launched in 1997 and is celebrating its 15^th year in existence.

During the orientation, parents and children alike were informed about the rigors of the program. From attending reading and math classes to creating a business plan, the students have their work cut out for them. Yet the program also gives the children to play and have fun in a safe environment.

Dr. Sigfrido Hernandez, the director and founder of the MOB program, said that the program is important because “in working with urban youth in Puerto Rico, I realized that they don’t have the same opportunities for growth that young people that are more affluent have.  I think urban youth should have the same opportunities”. Martha Higginbotham, a reading specialist for the MOB program said that she enjoys working with the teenagers. She said, “this is so much fun for me”. 

Samantha Carnasee, a graduate of the program, said her decision to get involved in the program was one of the best decisions she ever made because in the end she learned entrepreneurship and running her own business and making her own money. While enrolled in the program, Carnasee says that she created Layla’s Pizza Twists, a small business where you get pretzels and pizza with various toppings. 

For more information on how to get involved, please contact Dr. Hernandez at 609-895-5509.

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