Youth Work on Community Gardens

posted 7/17/19 -- Participants in LCCAA's Youth Services Program have been busy exercising their green thumbs. The young men and women ages 16 to 24 are gaining valuable work experience this summer through LCCAA's partnership with Ohio Means Jobs Lorain County.

Three community gardens were among the projects they have worked on. At "Garden A Plenty" in Elyria, the youth helped weed and mulch under the direction of Barbie Blackwell. At Eastside Block Watch Community Garden near the Lorain Senior Center, J.R. Lee directed the youth to lots of weeds. In Oberlin, Peter Crowley directed the youth in disassembling garden boxes at the Legion Field Community Garden. They also weeded and harvested garlic.

LCCAA partners with the Lorain County Workforce Development Agency and OhioMeansJobs to offer a summer program for teenagers and young adults designed to develop leadership and job skills. The cornerstone of that work experience is community service, according to program coordinator Bobby Taylor.

Visit our Facebook page for more photos.

Have a project for our youth? Contact Taylor at [email protected].