Local Teens Give Back

A program that puts teens to work gives them an opportunity to give back to the community.

Teens who participate in the Youth Employment Pogram hosted a night of food and games at Putnam Hill Park for members of the community.

"It’s for anybody, the kids did a lot of hard work , we sent out flyers, they went around took them all over," says Youth Employment Program Coordinator, Jason Smith.

The program is funded through a federal grant that reimburses businesses for employing the teenagers. Twenty-one kids are employed at seven parks around the area where they can impact other kids’ lives.

Candice Hatfield works at a local park. "It gives back to the community. The kids are not in danger, and we’re watching them. If their parents drop them off then they’re by themselves but we watch them and play with them and they have fun and come back every single day and they expect us to be there and we’re there," says Hatfield.

The teens are hosting another fun night Wednesday at Calvert Park at 6 p.m.