App users, tap here to watch video report.
JAMESTOWN – A local business is teaming up with Chautauqua Works to help area youth gain employment experience this summer.
Pearl City Pets, owned by Jason and Erica Skinner, recently expanded their business to a larger showroom next to their previous storefront on Cherry Street downtown.
Skinner says he was approached by the Chautauqua Works Summer Youth Program, and did not hesitate to get involved.
“Immediately we jumped on board because, you know, to be able to help the community, to help the children of our community be able to get something under their belt and use us as a reference for something we felt was very important,” said Jason Skinner.
High school students Jazmin Rollinger-Norrod and Hannah Patterson are two of the three students working at the shop this summer, and they say they’ve learned a lot about how to properly take care of fish and reptiles.
Both girls have enjoyed the experience so far, and to those seeking an opportunity for work this summer, Patterson has a message.
“Definitely do it. It’s a good learning experience,” said Patterson.
He hopes that this experience will help prepare the girls for future jobs.
“They’ve helped out a lot and I hope that what we have done with them, they’re able to take that and use that. And not only with animals, but with job skills (and) with responsibilities,” said Skinner.
Also helping around the shop are Skinner’s son and daughter. He says that family is really important to the business.
“Family is important to us, (to) leave something behind. If this becomes a successful business, later on down the road maybe one of my children will take it over,” said Skinner.
To learn more about Pearl City Pets, you can visit their location at 201 Cherry Street or checkout their Facebook page.
Leave a Reply