East Orange, New Jersey…..Mayor Bowser announces the creation of Project “Clean Street”, a new summer youth project that allowed (6) six young people between the ages of 18 to 23 to learn valuable skills while cleaning and beautifying the streets of East Orange.  The new program which started the first of May, is part of Mayor Bowser’s efforts to increase youth employment opportunities for our youth and while keeping the City clean of trash and over grown lots.  The Department of Public Works and the Division of Employment and Training/Workforce Development has partnered to implement and oversee the project to beautify East Orange’s neighborhoods through the removal of unsightly trash and overgrown vegetation from public properties and street cleaning by using youth clean-up crews.

 Project “Clean Street”, is the brainchild of M.J. Peterson, Manager for the City’s Division of Employment and Training.  “Enhancing our local economy and workforce using East Orange’s young people through positive summer work experience, is the guiding principals of the project, says Ms. Peterson”.  The project “Clean Street’s” goal is creating pride and enrichment among the neighborhoods through beautification/clean-up projects within the City of East Orange.  The project hired six young men from the City to accomplish the task.  “This is a great opportunity to involve young people in community issues that have an impact on East Orange’s neighborhoods.” said Mayor Bowser.  He further stated “that public areas falling under the jurisdiction of the City in the five wards will be the target area for clean-up, maintained and beautified by the youth as part of this initiative”.  “Providing youth with an opportunity to learn about the importance of their environment and practicing environmental stewardship”, said Mayor Bowser.

Youth work six hours a day under the supervision of the staff from the Department of Public Works, Street Division.

 The Project “Clean Street” Initiative is one of several Summer Youth Employment Programs operated by the City’s Division of Employment and Training, the Youth 2000 Initiative Program (“Y2”).  The “Y2” is an innovative program designed to provide employment opportunities in the private sector for the City of East Orange’s youth.  Prior to placement with a private sector employer, all youth are required to participate in a “Job Smart Academy”, a five-day intensive pre-employment skills program.

 The emphasis behind this summer’s program is the latest in a series of events Mayor Bower and the City Council sponsored with a focus on Workforce Development.  In April, the City held “Teen Jobs Week”, during school spring break.  Youth had the opportunity to participate in Work Readiness sessions and corporate mentoring programs.  In addition, in February the Mayor hosted the “Working Families Initiative” which was to assist East Orange residents who lost their jobs because of the downturn in the economy.  The Initiative helped residents identify jobs, attend workshops and other community resources.  For additional information regarding the Youth 2000 Initiative programs and Project “Clean Street”, please contact (973) 677-8914.