At only 15 years old, Brandan Louis already knows the reality of his neighborhood.

“In the society I’m in, it’s easy to fall into something bad," said Louis, a student at Evans Community School in the Pine Hills neighborhood.

  • Evans Community School after-school mentoring program
  • Program pairs Pine Hills students up with local businesses

That's why a new after school mentoring initiative is already having a positive impact in Pine Hills.

Organizers said the opportunity is a hand-up for deserving students, exposing them to successful entrepreneurs at a young age.

"So with this job, it’s easy for me to do good now because I don’t got to worry about money and going out there and trying to get money in a bad way," Louis said.

“It is much more than just having Brandan pick up trash," said Michael Strayhorn, the managing partner at 6001 Silver Star Partners, LLC.

Louis is Strayhorn’s paid intern, working as the landlord’s assistant at a commercial office building on Silver Star Road.

“I feel like this is something I can really build on," Louis explained.

Louis is humble about his potential and his 4.0 GPA.

“The key parts I like about the job, because it’s a business, because in the future I really want to be a businessman but I didn’t know how to start," Louis said. "So with this I’m able to start and really learn and get the basics."

“Truthfully, that’s one of my favorite things about my job," said Evans Community School director Jarvis Wheeler, who is overseeing the program. "I’m able to connect our students and our school with the community, and connect the community with our school."

Louis spends half his time cleaning up. The rest is a golden opportunity -- one-on-one mentoring, with the ability to ask his boss anything.

One of those important questions was "how do you buy a building?"

“Combined with the outside experience and the entrepreneurial piece, we think we have a wonderful program for any young person to actually grow and develop and ultimately become a wonderful business person," Strayhorn said.

“What makes Pine Hills stronger will make all of Orange County a much stronger place for all of us," Strayhorn stated.

“With this help, I’m able to succeed in life and be better in life because I don’t really want to have a regular job," Louis said. "I’d rather have a business so I can live life and do something I really like."