FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
June 1, 2014

CONTACT: Peter Van Delft
(617) 704-6682

SHERIFF TOMPKINS VISITS WITH MEMBERS OF THE “YEAR UP” PROGRAM

Sheriff Steven W. Tompkins addresses members of the Year Up program.

Suffolk County Sheriff Steven W. Tompkins recently visited the organization “Year Up” to support the work that they do and to impart words of wisdom to the program’s participants.

Boston’s Year Up program, which was founded in 2000, is an organization that seeks to close the Opportunity Divide by providing urban young adults with the skills, experience and support that will empower them to reach their potential through professional careers and higher education. The program also has locations in multiple cities across the country.

During his visit, Sheriff Tompkins held a one–on–one mock–interview exercise with a Year Up student during which he played the role of a hiring manager interviewing the student for a junior role in either an IT or finance position. Sheriff Tompkins then participated as a speaker as part of Year Up’s Guest Speaker Program, sharing with the students his life’s path from growing up in New York, to the important office he now holds as the Sheriff of Suffolk County.

Sheriff Tompkins also spoke to Year Up participants about some of the positive achievements made since becoming Sheriff, and later quizzed the group about their knowledge of law enforcement and the role that the Sheriff plays.

After speaking with participants about his own journey to success and sharing details about the world of law enforcement, Sheriff Tompkins expressed to the group how impressed he was, not only with the program itself, but also by the professionalism of its participants.

“Five, ten years down the road, you all are going to be the leaders of this Commonwealth and wherever else you are,” said Sheriff Tompkins. “It’s great that you’re here. This program is extraordinary. I remember the first time that I came to visit, I thought that I was just going into a classroom where everyone would be dressed down in jeans and sneakers. But, I walked into the room and you were all dressed like professionals. You already look like professionals, and I applaud that because that’s really what you need. Half the game is presentation, and how you look sets the tone. I know that when you leave this program, you’re going to do well. I wish you worlds of luck.”

For more information about Year Up, please visit www.yearup.org.

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