Department of Natural Resources Funds Program
Harvesting crops, cutting down trees, clearing debris and boarding buildings are among the many things that Genesee Regional Chamber of Commerce teen employees accomplished this summer on behalf of local nonprofits. Eighty teen employees worked for organizations across Genesee County as part of a program funded through a grant from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
Rebecca Fedewa of the Flint River Watershed Coalition credits the employees who worked with them this summer clearing a great deal of debris from the river that would have remained indefinitely without their assistance.
“The teens removed 75 tires from the river that were dumped over the years,” said Fedewa. “By having these young people work along with our volunteers they were able to clear a lot of debris from the river. We truly appreciate the help they provided this summer.”
The employees worked 132 hours over a five week period for nine organizations. The employers were Catholic Charities – Mr. Rogers/Streeter Farms; Catholic Charities – North End Soup Kitchen; Flint Downtown Development Authority; Flint River Watershed Coalition; Food Bank of Eastern Michigan; Genesee County Mental Health Garden; Genesee County Parks; Greater Holy Temple Church of God in Christ and the Genesee County Land Bank.
The employees were all graduates of the Regional Chamber TeenQuest, a pre-employment, leadership training program for youth between the ages of 14-18 and in grades 9-12.
For more information about the teen employment or TeenQuest, contact Rhetta Hunyady at (810) 600-1421 or rhunyady@thegrcc.org.
