Quinn Williamson was only 16 when he and his brother, Drew, founded Jersey City Youth Alliance.
The two brothers, both of whom did well in school over the years, wanted to help students they saw as struggling.
High school, Quinn said, can be confusing, partly because of all the choices incoming students need to make.
While kids in middle school might study hard, many do know how to manage time or deal with many of the new issues that confront them when they come into high school. Quinn, who was a junior at St. Peter’s Prep at the time, thought he could help by sharing some of his own experiences, and some of the techniques he learned.
“I tried to do it with a few kids over the summer of 2013, but I wasn’t able to get it going,” he said.
Originally he only intended to talk to students coming to St. Peter’s Prep.
But when he kicked off the program again in the Fall of 2014, he looked towards a larger audience citywide.
They brought their idea to the Jersey City Board of Education which liked the idea so much the two brothers were able to expand the program within a few months.
“I thought I could make a difference by going into middle schools to speak to kids about things they will face when they got to high school.” — Quinn Williamson
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The organization grew beyond just him until he has more than 20 students from all over Jersey City who volunteered to go into middle schools to talk to kids before these kids plunge into the sometimes chaotic world of high school.
Some of what these elder students teach younger students seems like common sense, such as how to manage time properly, but other lessons are words of wisdom about how to deal with emotional issues associated with growing up and getting romantically involved.
Giving presentations
Quinn said JCYA is an organization developed by youth for youth. The goal was to help “inspire and uplift” middle school students who are transitioning into high school.
The program is made up of high school seniors who give presentations on a step by step plan for dealing with problems most students face in high school, and to offer sage advice the elder students have learned by experience such as how to balance sports and other activities, how to study effectively, the need to get enough sleep, eat well and exercise.
The presentations also deal with things like the proper use of social medial and dealing with friendships and relationships.
Quinn said the idea is to give other kids real world advice as experienced by people who have already gone through many of the same issues.
JCYA has been endorsed by the Jersey City Board of Education and works with the Boys and Girls Club in Jersey City where they offer tutoring programs Monday through Thursday.
“We help them with their current studies,” he said.
Quinn, who is 17, is looking to attend Columbia University when he graduates, and will either focus on political science or human rights. But he intends to expand the program even further, beyond Jersey City to the rest of Hudson County.
“I’ve been asked to speak in Hoboken,” he said. “I want to expand this to other cities, and I’m looking to Bayonne and Union City. I’m planning a full presentation in Hoboken this year.”
Quinn said the Learning Community Charter School in Jersey City, which he attended before going to St. Peter’s Prep, provided him with a good educational foundation, as well as solid work habits that has allowed him to remain at the top of his class through most of his schooling. Many of the other older students involved in the program come from LCCS as well.
“I want people to realize the benefits of education, and for us all to work towards a better society,” he said. “I think the JCYA will be a huge help to teacher and students. We are there to help, and I think when most people talk to kids like this is goes in one ear and out the other. But when peers talk to peers, they connect.”
Al Sullivan may be reached at asullivan@hudsonreporter.com.