Last week I wrote about Long Beach firefighter Darren Rockett and how he became
a leader in the mentoring movement, getting other firefighters to join him as a
mentor to Long Beach youth. Although Darren died tragically in 2011, his inspiration launched a unique mentoring program that now bears his name— the Rockett Academy.
The kids Darren mentored became part of his family, notes his wife, Jeanne Rockett,
now a key figure in the newly created Rockett Academy. Darren grew up in South Central Los Angeles without a father in the household, and it was primarily the
influence of Darren’s strict mother and his older brothers and sister that helped him stay out of trouble.
Jeanne and Darren firmly believed that every child needs someone to look up to,
someone to guide them. At times, this life philosophy went beyond mentoring.
On her way home from her first date with Darren, Jeanne saw a mother and five
children huddled on a street corner. They had been evicted from their apartment
earlier that day and had nowhere to sleep. Jeanne recognized the mother, known in
the neighborhood as someone struggling to break a drug habit. The woman cradled her
youngest, a baby girl just a few months old.
Jeanne took the family in until they could find housing in a shelter.
Jeanne and Darren got married and remained in touch with the family. Unfortunately,
the mother’s drug habit worsened, and one day the children were placed in the
fostercare system. Jeanne and Darren did not hesitate; they adopted the baby girl, who was eventually joined by three more girls born to Jeanne and Darren to complete the Rockett family. All four remain close today.
Not every child is born into a supportive, stable environment. It is hard to be a good parent, even in the best of conditions. Often the circumstances of life— such as unemployment, transitory housing, mental and physical disabilities, and lack of formal education— make parenting challenges even harder.
Regardless of a child’s environment, mentoring can make a positive difference.
Mentoring comes in all forms, but at its essence is spending time with someone.
That’s all. Human nature does the rest because children, like sponges, absorb what is around them.
The Rockett Academy is a powerful example of what can be done to meet
the critical need for mentoring in Long Beach. Children revere firefighters,
and the opportunity to spend time with one at a neighborhood fire station is
irresistible. While spending time, the kids learn lessons, like the importance
of hard work, preparation, education, training and organizational leadership.
Captain Ryan Thornton, an 18-year LBFD veteran, became a Rockett Academy mentor as soon as he heard about the new program. When a medical emergency took Thornton’s life in October last year, the LBFD family mourned the loss of a brother. This year
the Rockett Academy announced a new award at its graduation ceremony. The
inaugural Ryan Thornton Award, given to the student who exemplified “going
above and beyond,” was presented to Alfredo Hernandez Robles.
I’m proud of Long Beach firefighters because, despite the loss of loved
ones, they continue to answer a call just as critical as taking down a fire. By
mentoring, they are helping to build up our youth.
