 Amy Adams and Kylon Haugabook (photo by Martha Barksdale) Her business may be 1-800-GOT-JUNK, but on the day she hired Kylon Haugabook, Amy Adams said she found a treasure.
Adams owns the 1-800-GOT-JUNK Atlanta South Franchise, which has its office in Fayetteville. Through the Fayette County Chamber of Commerce, she learned about the Hearts to Nourish Hope program, which helps young people acquire the tools they need to become successful members of society.
This year, Hearts to Nourish Hope received federal economic stimulus money that enabled about 100 teenagers in Clayton, Henry and Fayette counties to get jobs with local businesses at no cost to their employers.
Kylon said it was not easy to get accepted in the Hearts to Nourish Hope jobs program. He had to compile a resume and write an essay telling what he would do with the money he earned.
Then, he had to go to classes to learn more about the world of work. Finally, Kylon participated in a group interview, where he caught Adams’ eye.
“I was looking for someone older,” she admitted, “maybe in the 18 to 24 range. I’ve never hired anybody this young. But after I interviewed Kylon, he was my number one choice.”
At 1-800-GOT-JUNK, Kylon was introduced to physical work in the hot Georgia summertime. The company does just what its name implies and removes junk from clients’ homes. Items are recycled, donated to charities or taken to the dump if they are not salvageable.
“He’s our marketing guru,” Adams said. “He’s the third person on the truck. While the others are moving items, Kylon goes around the neighborhood putting out door hangers and talking with people. He sweeps up when we’re done. He helps with recycling and trips to the dump.”
This summer has been enlightening for the Fayette County High student. The honor roll student has gotten an appreciation for how hard it is to earn a living by the sweat of his brow. He said he’s learned to deal politely with customers, even when they’re not very polite with him.
A native of Detroit who moved to this area six years ago, Kylon is the son of Kenyatta Haugabook and Ferdon Canady. His mom said this first job has been good for Kylon in many ways.
“I can see that it’s made him more of a man. He’s more humble. Working with adults has been a good influence on him, teaching him that you have to show up everyday” she said.
Truck driver Jeff Walker said Kylon has been great to have onboard this summer. Kylon is enthusiastic and willing to work without being told what to do, Jeff reported.
“He’s just so positive and so enthusiastic. That’s what stood out in the interview,” Adams said.
Kylon has been generous with the money he’s earned. With his first paycheck, he bought his mom a GPS--“it was on sale,” he notes. He has helped his little brother buy things for the coming school year and he’s given his mom and stepfather money for gas-- “since they have to drive me everywhere.”
“What he doesn’t know,” mom Kenyatta related to a surprised Kylon, “is that we’ve been putting that money back into his account.”
Kylon has saved $100 from every paycheck. “He’s been really good with his money,” mom said.
This summer, Kylon has put in between 25 and 40 hours every week at 1-800-GOT-JUNK. In between, he says he’s been completing his summer work for his advanced English classes and honing his basketball skills for upcoming tryouts.
Kylon is planning a career as a civil engineer. He has been accepted as a member of the W.E.B. DuBois Society which honors outstanding African American students. Only 48 Georgia students were chosen for membership this year. If Kylon maintains at least a 3.5 average throughout high school, the society will pay for all his textbooks in college. Kylon is also one of only 50 metro area students selected for the Model Atlanta Regional Commission. In October, they will hold a retreat in Norcross to plan projects for the betterment of the community.
Kylon may have a future as a Hurricane.
Two months ago, he and about 50 other students were invited to meet with University of Miami representatives in Atlanta. Kylon said he was the only sophomore there. “They invited me to visit the campus. They’ll pay for food and hotel for me and one other person,” he said.
His mom said that after seeing what the Hearts to Nourish Hope program has done for her son, she would encourage anyone who was eligible to get involved. “Kids who work don’t have time to get in trouble.”
For more information, visit www.heartstonourishhope.org or call (770) 997-4517.
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