PITTSBURGH — A nonprofit is taking the most at-risk youth in Pittsburgh away from crime and into a place where they can find jobs, hope and a future.
Channel 11 caught up with YouthPlaces as a group of young men were doing landscaping in the sweltering summer heat.
“It gives them a work ethic. That's what we are trying to achieve and actually more these guys on after this experience and try to lead them into some jobs. Some real life jobs,” said Reggie Smith, associate director of YouthPlaces.
YouthPlaces works in city neighborhoods to help young people overcome their challenges.
“We're helping kids who are out of school between the ages of 16 and 25 clean up in their own communities,” he said..
The landscaping and beautification project is a key component of Youth Place's Violence Prevention program.
Every summer for the past seven years, they have put some 500 kids in 24 different neighborhoods to work doing community service, working to keep them out of trouble.
Antoine Bailey is director of violence prevention.
The YouthPlaces work program, along with summer sports leagues and after school programs, help diffuse the tension among these men.
“It's actually through this program that YouthPlaces is able to help slow down a lot of the violence that's in these neighborhoods," said Bailey.
Bailey can relate to these men.
He grew up in a tough neighborhood, but turned his life around and is now helping others to do the same.
“We want them to do something good in life. Raise a family. Do good. Work a full time job. Come home and be proud of themselves,” he said.
YouthPlaces says in the fall, it is launching a new initiative with local businesses, helping to secure permanent employment for these young men.
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WPXI
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