Youth Initiative
Youth Empowerment
Raising the next generation of environmental stewards — turning trash day into payday, pride & purpose.
The Clean Block teaches environmental stewardship and work ethic. Fresh Environmental Services invests in Central Ohio youth through teams called Alley Angels (ages 11–15), who help residents move trash and recycling carts out for collection and return them after pickup — earning real pay while learning real skills and caring for the neighborhoods they call home.
Program Overview
A community approach to cleaner blocks
Residents contribute, youth earn, sponsors fund safety and supervision, and entire blocks get cleaner.
Cart route to career route
Youth serve their neighbors and build a first route-based business experience.
Real skills, real pay
Customer service, safety, route tracking, 311 reporting, and leadership.
Supervised & safe
No youth works alone — adult Earth Angels supervise every route in daylight windows.
Cleaner blocks
Carts move on time, alleys stay clear, and neighborhoods take pride together.
How It Works
How The Clean Block runs
1
Routes by block
Alley Angels are assigned to neighborhood routes close to home, making every block feel personal and taken care of.
2
Adult supervision
Earth Angels lead every route with safety training and check-ins.
3
Whole-community support
Residents and sponsors fund the program so youth get paid for real work.
Our Impact
Real results in real neighborhoods
This program gave my son his first job and his first sense of pride in our community.
Financial literacy from day one
Youth track earnings, manage routes, and learn the basics of being accountable for a paycheck — skills that follow them for life.
Pride in the neighborhood
When youth serve their own block, they take ownership. Vandalism goes down, community spirit goes up.
Environmental awareness built in
Every route teaches recycling habits, proper waste handling, and the direct link between clean alleys and healthy communities.
Work experience and references
Participants earn a certificate of completion and can use Fresh Environmental Services as a professional reference.
Get Involved
Who can join?
The Clean Block is a community effort. Whether you're a young person, a neighbor, or a business, there's a place for you.
Join as an Alley Angel
- Serve your block
- Earn real pay
- Build real skills
- Make your neighborhood proud
Residents & HOAs
- Your carts move
- Your alleys stay clear
- Local youth get paid
Fund for your community
- Fund safety equipment
- Fund training and pay for youth
- Get brand recognition
- Give back meaningfully
Ready to get started?
Get a custom quote for your block, business, or sponsorship.
Tell us about your neighborhood or organization and our team will design a route plan, supervision schedule, and sponsorship structure tailored to you.
Free, no obligation • Response within 1 business day
