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Yard Work Program Provides Jobs, Helps Low Income, Disabled Avoid Code Violations
August 9, 2012
The Community Action Program Committee has partnered with the International Paper Foundation and FaithWorks InterFaith Ministries this summer to perform yard services for low-income seniors or disabled customers who are in danger of receiving a code violation.
“This is an annual community service that we have offered each summer for the last three years.” said Renae Cotton, director of the community services department for CAPC. “Many of our seniors or disabled customers, because of financial strain, are facing county code enforcement violations due to the overgrown condition of their home’s yards. Our goal is to remove this one barrier from the difficult decisions seniors have to make based on their limited income.”
For the second straight year, CAPC received a $3,500.00 grant from International Paper to help fund the program.
In addition to providing a much needed service to one of the most vulnerable populations in Escambia County, the partnership will also address an unemployment issue as well.
“Along with students employed by our agency for the summer, FaithWorks will be using its regular YardWorks program workers to service an estimated 150 eligible customers in Escambia County,” said Doug Brown, CAPC executive director. “Most of the work crews are made up of formerly unemployed individuals.”
FaithWorks will train and supervise the crews on how to properly manicure a lawn, equipment usage and maintenance, and the value of hard work.
“Bringing an elderly or disabled, eligible person’s yard up to code while training young people from the CAPC Summer Youth Program in job safety, outdoor tool use and work ethics is an exciting addition to our current YardWorks Program.” said Rick Dye, chief volunteer for FaithWorks.
Persons in Escambia County interested in applying for this yard service program should call Community Action Program Committee office at (850) 438-4021.
Pictured top: By the time Abdul Smith (right) and Antwon Lyons are done, over 150 yards in Escambia County will be mowed to avoid code enforcement violation fineds. Pictured bottom: Javier Cobb has learned that an important task of the Weed Easter operator is to look for uncut grass in a customer’s yard that was missed by the mower operator. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Comments
7 Responses to “Yard Work Program Provides Jobs, Helps Low Income, Disabled Avoid Code Violations”
My son is a decorated military veteran and college graduate, currently employed as a security consultant for an international corporation.
I am glad for you that you have motivated children as I can appreciate your perspective, however there are many kids that do not fall into that catagory. I feel that you get out what you put in. In most cases anyway.
@ 429SCJ….
Not every Grandparent has lazy Grandchildren.
My male cousins use to help Grandma with the yard until, one of them joined the military, one started running a restaurant, a few of them went off to college, and a few of them started their own families. As for the female cousins most are in college or raising families.
I moved back home to help Grandma, when the last of the youngest cousins left home. Being the second eldest it is my duty to help our Grandmother maintain her house, when others return home whether its for a vacation or permanent…they fulfill their duties as well.
Not everyone’s grandchildren are under 18 with no sense of responsibility towards ones elders, and are completely self absorbed in video game land.
My grandmother gladly watches her great grandchildren while my Husband and I work on the yard. The eldest one (7y) loves to help her in the garden.
When my parents in law move out of their house in a few months we are going to Faithworks and hiring their workers to help with clean up of the yard and minor repairs in the home. Its a great program that helps people gain job experience, and helps those that aren’t able to do the laborious tasks necessary to keep up ones home.
429SJC please speak for your own children because my Grandmother’s GREAT-Grandsons (mine and my sister’s boys – 16, 16 & 14) clean and mow her yard on regular occasions. I dont not have to bribe them, guilt them or beg them. All I have to do is ask.
I think this is a wonderful program that helps both the worker and the elderly. Thank you Interfaith Ministries, Communiy Action AND International Paper
I love this program! Everyone wins with this one.
Good work fellas.
Great program and much needed.
Absolutely Jane, the elderly need the help and those kids need jobs.
The Grandchildren would help, but that would mean leaving the gaming console and going outside to do something constructive, poor lost creatures.
This is a good program to help people who really need the help. There are many people who need help maintaining their homes/yards. Our churches do a lot to help but they can’t do it all by themselves.