Local man provides opportunity

Car wash owner receives Good Samaritan Award in Pines

Gene Mintz estimates he has employed more than 3,000 young people at his two Pembroke Pines car washes during his 25 years in business.

“I see these kids in the streets doing nothing,” Mintz said. “I can see the wrong in them because I used to do wrong, so I offer them a part-time job.”

That generosity recently earned Mintz the 2015 Good Samaritan Award from the Pembroke Pines Police Department.

Sgt. Jeffrey Desilets, who has known Mintz for more than 20 years, nominated him for the award.

“I have no doubt that by providing these opportunities, Gene has assisted this community in ways unmeasurable by any statistic,” Desilets said.

Mintz was humbled by the honor.

“I’m proud,” he said. “Not too much moves me, but they got me on this one.”

Mintz cannot read or write, a fact he shares with his employees as a means of extolling the importance of staying in school.

Mintz, of Cooper City, teaches them life skills: punctuality, proper attire, how to communicate with customers and money management.

“My anger problems were up there, so he helped me learn to deal with people while at work,” said Clairmont John, 26, who has worked for Mintz for five years. “He hears me out and talks to me manto-man. I think of him as more of a father than my own.”

Mintz offered a job three months ago to Khalil Jackson, 20, as he walked down Pines Boulevard. It’s his first job.

“It gives me the opportunity to help my mom pay bills, get some groceries and have some money in my pocket,” Jackson said.

Leighton Campbell, an insurance

agency owner in Hollywood, worked for Mintz during the mid-1990s while he attended Cooper City High School. His three brothers also worked at the car wash.

“I could write a book on the impact Gene has had on my life,” said Campbell, one of six kids raised by a single mother. “There is a common thread of fatherlessness in the kids at the car wash. He fills that role.”

Jelani McInnis, 17 and of Pembroke Pines, has worked at the car wash for two years.

“There’s not a lot of opportunity out there,” he said. “He gives young people a chance.”