Frankford summer – Power Circle Mentors hosted a pop-up job fair in Frankford to connect teens with summer work, plus services for families—aimed at keeping youth productive and supported.
PHILADELPHIA — A pop-up summer job fair in Frankford is drawing teenagers and families into a practical mission: helping young people land work when the school year ends.
The event. hosted by Power Circle Mentors. offered a resource-heavy space where teens could learn about openings starting as early as June and get guidance on the steps that can make or break a first job.. For 14-year-old Khair Latimer, it was about more than a paycheck.. He came out to “get a job” and to “get myself right as a human being. ” framing summer work as a pathway to discipline and growth.
The fair also reflected a clear community concern.. Power Circle Mentors founder Eugene Thomas said the summer months can create a dangerous vacuum when kids have more free time and less structure.. “When the weather break. a lot of crime happens. ” Thomas explained. adding that boredom and lack of direction can push young people toward trouble.. The organization’s approach is to fill that gap early—before routines slip.
That theme showed up in the way the fair was built.. Instead of treating the event like a simple job board, it functioned like a bridge between youth and opportunity.. A coalition of organizations set up to help with permit registration and job openings. making the logistics of getting hired less intimidating.. Thomas described the core goal as giving teens access to real chances to work and “gain some money. ” but also to learn how professional environments operate.
A notable emotional layer came from families who see summer work as character-building.. Khair’s sister. Khalisha Wilson. brought him to the fair and described the moment as preparation for the adult world—especially around professional expectations and social skills.. For many families. those skills can be as important as the job itself. because they shape how teens show up. communicate. and stay focused.
Beyond employment, the event expanded support for adults and families, acknowledging that youth outcomes are tied to household stability.. Social services information covered needs that can strain families during tough economic periods—housing and shelter. child care supplies. pet supplies. and even help with vet bills.. Thomas said the broader intent was to “balance out the neighborhood. ” pointing to the reality that young people don’t live in isolation from their communities’ struggles.
There was also a deliberate effort to make the fair feel welcoming rather than intimidating.. Food and music helped pull teens in and kept the tone upbeat as they explored opportunities.. Pierre Fequiere. a teenager from Frankford. summed up the motivation many teens share but don’t always express aloud: “Get a job this summer because I don’t want to be in my bed all day being lazy.” It’s a simple sentiment. but it captures how job access can replace idle time with momentum.
For teens who are still too young for full-time professional work, the fair still mattered.. Arianna DeJesus, 13, said she wasn’t yet able to work professionally or obtain working papers, but she attended for preparation.. That distinction matters: even when a teen can’t be hired immediately. showing the steps forward can turn waiting into planning—so the eventual first job feels achievable rather than confusing.
The most important question now is impact—how many attendees actually secured summer positions through the fair and which organizations provided the most openings.. That part wasn’t confirmed during the event. but the structure suggests measurable follow-through could be tracked by connecting job leads. applications. and any onboarding steps back to the teens who showed up.
Looking at the bigger picture. pop-up job fairs like this are gaining attention because they operate at the exact moment when teens are most vulnerable to disruption.. School ends, routines loosen, and the choices around what to do next become more urgent.. By combining job information with permit guidance and supportive services. Power Circle Mentors is addressing the problem from multiple angles—practical. social. and community-wide.
If this model continues. it could also set a standard for what “youth employment support” should include: not only listings. but help navigating the paperwork. a positive environment that keeps young people engaged. and family-centered resources that reduce pressure at home.. For Frankford, the fair wasn’t just about summer work.. It was about breaking cycles the founder described from lived experience—and building a different rhythm for the season ahead.