The Yonkers Public Schools, Yonkers My Brother’s Keeper (MBK) and New York Giants rookie Darnay Holmes have announced an exciting partnership to support student social and emotional well-being and academic achievement. Through his new youth development initiative, Chosen One, Mr. Holmes will mentor individual students and meet with groups of MBK students and advisors for empowerment sessions beginning with a virtual meeting on June 16. Shaniece Flynn, who founded Chosen One with Mr. Holmes, will mentor Yonkers’ girls and young women individually and in groups as well.
“We are energized by this new partnership which shows true dedication from Mr. Holmes and Ms. Flynn. It reinforces our message to Yonkers students that they are our top priority,” said Dr. Edwin M. Quezada, Superintendent of Schools and Co-Chair of Yonkers MBK with Rev. Dr. Jim Bostic, Executive Director of the Nepperhan Community Center. “This is another example of how our district continues to build creative partnerships to benefit our magnificent young people.”
“We are very excited that through Chosen One, Darnay will be pouring his wealth of knowledge and experience into the lives of our young men,” said Rev. Dr. Bostic. “We believe his connection to our young people will help to motivate and strengthen them and enhance the work we are doing in the Yonkers MBK movement.”
Mr. Holmes, 21, was drafted by the New York Giants in April from his home in Calabasas, California. With his brother and Chosen One co-founder, Darick Holmes, Jr., he soon began looking for a “first friend” on the East Coast to establish his mentoring work.
“We were inspired to partner with Yonkers MBK when we saw the good work they were doing,” said Mr. Holmes who will move to the East Coast with Ms. Flynn in July. “Through this collaboration, I seek to empower and uplift young men in order for them to reach their full potential.”
Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano said he enthusiastically welcomes this promising collaboration. “Strong mentoring relationships improve the lives of young people by almost every measure. We are thrilled Darnay Holmes and Chosen One have selected Yonkers for building their first mentorship efforts in New York.”
