How many times have you asked yourself, “What do these kids know about the real world?” If this is true for children with every opportunity, the latest iPod, and all the perks of a middle-class household, imagine how it must be for those whose opportunities seem limited, whose view of themselves and their families is more like a melodrama and less like a situation comedy. Susan, who participated in The Bridge mentoring program, wanted to know, and with a little help from The Bridge and Old Navy, she was able to find out.
Most kids, twelve-year old girls especially, know all about Old Navy, what kinds of clothes they have, what’s in and what’s out, but Susan hadn’t been there much. New clothes were a luxury to her, something she looked forward to on birthdays and Christmas. Otherwise she and her family made due with what they had. When Old Navy’s Arlington Heights store selected The Bridge Youth & Family Services for their Camp Old Navy program, a job-shadowing day for young people in the community interested in retail careers, Susan jumped at the chance.
Working with The Bridge, Old Navy asked Susan and her Mom to come to the store by 9:00 AM, when they opened. They arrived at 8:30, a bit apprehensive, but excited. The variety and extent of the merchandise overwhelmed Susan during a brief tour of the store. She quickly sought opportunities to help the employees with their various tasks, including restocking the sales floor, monitoring the fitting rooms, and cashiering. At noon, the manager bought Susan lunch and invited her to join the employees for their lunch break. Susan’s favorite parts of the day were dressing the mannequins and learning to use the cash register.
Susan made such a great impression that the Arlington Heights Old Navy store donated $250 to The Bridge, and promised to make the same job-shadowing offer in 2010. Camp Old Navy was a big hit for The Bridge, Old Navy, and especially for Susan, who is eager to learn more about the world of retail, along with other job opportunities. With the help of The Bridge and her community, we’re hoping that Susan discovers a myriad of worlds and possibilities beyond her imagination. The Bridge Youth & Family Services really does connect children, families and community. Just ask Susan.
