GAINING EXPERIENCE — Those participating in the Jefferson County Board of Developmental Disabilities’ Summer Youth Program through Community Employment Services, spent the past few months working in local parks and on area farms to build their job portfolio and gain experience. The 14- to 21-year-olds in this year’s program include, from left, front, Josh Hillman, Jerslin Bell and Hailey Bradley; and back, Eva Groman, James Wooden, Patrick Kinney and Jo Jo Huzovic. Also participating are Olivia Ault and Raymond Cooper. -- Contributed

MINGO JUNCTION — As summer draws to a close, projects are beginning to wind down for those involved in the Jefferson County Board of Developmental Disabilities’ Summer Youth Program.

A dozen young adults between the ages of 14 to 21 spent the past months completing jobs at local parks and farms, helping to build their job portfolio and gain experience, as they prepare for future employment. The program is offered through the board’s Community Employment Services program, which operated two sessions this year, from June 4-27 and from July 9 through Friday.

Sites include Friendship Park in Smithfield, Bacon Ridge Farms near Bergholz and Aracoma Park in Mingo Junction.

Community Employment Specialists Renee Pastre Hanlin, Angela Goodrich and Elyzabeth Grimm advise the youth in tasks such as light weeding, painting and other forms of maintenance. Current workers earn minimum wage working from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday through Friday.

“They worked at Bacon Ridge Farms for two weeks and learned all about agriculture,” Pastre Hanlin said. She noted it was the first time the program has partnered with a farm.

“It was hard work, but they loved it,” Goodrich added. “They planted trees, harvested radishes and green beans and maintained corn.”

Those in the program learned the facets of farming, such as irrigation, fencing and protecting crops. Officials stated they are grateful to operators Ron and Amy Reasoner, saying this opportunity gave the young workers a new experience.

In total, groups spent four weeks at Friendship Park for the first session and two weeks at Bacon Ridge Farm and three weeks in Mingo Junction for the second session.

Work for the second session entailed painting curbs, handicapped parking spots and areas around Aracoma Park. Other tasks involved weeding, raking and clearing up around the pool and shelter houses. Several of the young workers expressed they enjoyed the program and are grateful for the work skills it has taught them.

“It’s good,” said 18-year-old Josh Hillman, a recent graduate of Steubenville High School. This is Hillman’s second year with the program. “I like helping and getting the community to look nice.” His hope is to go straight into the workforce. The program is helping him do just that.

“It’s fun,” said 16-year-old, first-time program participant Jerslin Bell who attends Steubenville High School. “It’s good helping out people and making the pool look nice. It’s the best way to put a smile on someone’s face.”

He noted he likes getting his hands dirty and hopes to obtain a driver’s permit, get his license and one day become a tow truck driver. Bell said he is thankful to the CES and its summer youth program for helping him reach for his goal.