From Monday, June 2 to Wednesday, June 4 at 2605 West Krause, training begins for the Youth Employment Lawn Care Program. METEC and Peoria Opportunities Foundation (POF) are partnering to provide the Youth Employment Lawn Care Initiative in East Bluff and South Side neighborhoods. Using their program and management experience, this collaboration targets 15 at-risk teenagers between the ages of 16 through 19, living in neighborhoods in the East Bluff and South Side.  

Training includes safety issues and the art of lawn mowing. In addition to lawn training, employment training which will cover the job application process, job survival, job termination/ references, appropriate dress, attendance, punctuality, teamwork, following instructions, and dealing with the employer when there are problems. The program also provides many additional services.

The Youth Employment Lawn Care initiative has the support of City Councilwoman Denise Moore, and Councilman Tim Riggenbach, along with the City of Peoria Public Works Director Mike Rogers and LISC, which is providing additional funds to support the program. While this is the first year for the collaboration between METEC and POF, both agencies are committed to making this a successful program both for the community.