March 6, 2021

There’s little more rewarding than when a former Youth Bureau kid “comes home” to give back. When alumna Jessica McKenzie ran into Executive Director Frank Williams at a recent event, she wasn’t sure at first that she recognized him – it had been 13 years since she’d last seem him as a high schooler enrolled […]

Sajith Matthews was a member of the White Plains Youth Council from 1998-2000. He served as its president during his senior year in high school from 1999-2000. He went on to major in Molecular Biology at the University of Pittsburgh graduating summa cum laude. After graduation in 2004, he entered medical school at Howard University College of

Quentin Martin believes wholeheartedly in the words of Kobe Bryant, “The most important thing is to try and inspire people so they can be great in whatever they want to do!” Quentin Martin is a native New Yorker raised in the heart of White Plains. Quentin had the privilege of participating in numerous programs with

I was born in the Bronx, NY and attended the White Plains public school system. During my middle and high school years, I participated in numerous scholastic activities, clubs and track and field. During my middle school years and teenage development, I began to go off course of positivity-resulting in my grades slipping and I

Born and raised in White Plains, Hernando Lamela was first introduced to the Youth Bureau during his high school years when he used to frequent the gymnasium and common area. In years that followed, he served as the Mayor’s Youth Council president under the appreciated guidance of Ms. Sheila Foley, Mr. Kenny Person, Ms. Jenester

Raina Kadavil – Author, Activist, Adventurer Raina has been part of the White Plains Youth Bureau since she was two years old. Over the years, Raina’s love for service to her community flourished, in large part thanks to the programs she encountered at the Youth Bureau.  Raina participated in the chess program, tutored math, volunteered at the

Melvin moved to White Plains from Washington D.C. during his high school years. While attending White Plains High School, Melvin lived in a homeless hotel with his family. After graduation, Melvin went on to join the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity and obtain his degree in Industrial and Labor Relations from Cornell University. The White Plains

Daniel started attending Youth Bureau events when he was in Eastview Middle School. Daniel would go downstairs to the Youth Bureau and was a participant in after school and evening activities. He participated in the Summer Employment’s Entrepreneurship Program and stayed involved with summer youth employment every summer up through high school. Daniel also provided

Reverend Harold R. Jolley is a native of White Plains. Harold was fortunate to attend private school during his early educational rearing and later enrolled into the White Plains Public School system, participating in numerous programs held at the White Plains Youth Bureau. These programs assisted Harold in developing his interpersonal skills, prepared him with

Lieutenant Percy Harris Johnson, Jr. began is his fire career as a firefighter with the City of White Plains Fire Department in 2003. Growing up, Lt. Johnson always knew that he wanted to give back to his community. When 9/11 happened, he knew his calling was to become a firefighter. He spent 16 years working