Centerboard teens complete summer work

LYNN – They could be seen all summer in their bright orange shirts picking up trash, pulling weeds and working in the offices at Centerboard, but this week it was the teens’ of the Summer Jobs Program turn to be waited on.”I’ve heard great things about all you guys all summer,” said Robert Stilian, owner of Old Tyme Italian Restaurant, who treated the teens to lunch. “You put pride in the places you left.”The jobs program, funded by the United Way, allowed Centerboard, a local non-profit, to put nearly 50 teens to work during the six-week program. According to Centerboard’s CEO Mark DeJoie, the youth made $8.25 an hour and were also taught how to manage the income they earned.Carla Scheri, director of special projects for Centerboard the kids said worked from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday as members of The Clean Team, the social media team, the “fun team,” creating signage and learning about branding or in the office researching grants.”Thursday was classroom day, financial education classes,” she added.In the classroom the teens learned how to operate a checking account, budget their money and to manage their money. DeJoie pointed out that every teen had a checking account by the end program.”It’s a huge piece of the puzzle,” Scheri said.Outside the classroom the kids worked in all kinds of weather, DeJoie noted.”Who worked inside on the first day?” he asked as a smattering of teens raised their hands and the rest groaned. “Clean Team, what was the temperature outside?””Hot,” they answered, in unison.Marques O’Neal was a member of the Clean Team and said the sweltering days in July when temperatures hovered in the mid 90s were “not fun,” but he’s glad he toughed it out.”It kept me busy rather than staying in the house doing nothing all summer,” he said.The 16-year-old Lynn Classical junior, who is saving for his first car, said the financial classes were also a plus. O’Neal said he learned that putting a certain percentage of his check into the bank each week makes it easier to save for the Accura TSX that he covets.Mayor Judith Flanagan Kennedy told the teens that much of her job is dealing with complaints from the public, but The Clean Team made her job easier this summer.”Dirt complaints, litter complaints, trash complaints plummeted this summer and I have to attribute it to all of you,” she said.Kennedy said she hoped the teens took away more than simply money from their experience.”I thank you for making Lynn a prettier and cleaner place to live,” she said.Kennedy also had a citation for each participant and posed for pictures with the teen.Colleen Joyce O’Leary from the United Way also took a moment to praise group for their efforts.”I want to thank you all,” she said. “I’ve been hearing unbelievable stories and that you are the best team so far. I think you are a great example of the city of Lynn.”