Free Yard Work: Quad Cities Students Mow Lawns To Help The Community

A group of Quad Cities students is using their summer break to make a difference in the community, one freshly mowed lawn at a time.

The Youth Community Lawn Care Team is part of the YWCA Quad Cities' Youth Pre-Apprenticeship Summer Program, where students are gaining valuable job experience while providing free lawn care to residents who need a helping hand. Throughout the summer, the team mows grass, trims weeds, and tackles other yard work at homes that have been nominated by community members.

Check out this video WQAD filmed with the students:

Are These Kids Getting Paid To Cut Grass?

"It's a legit position," said Edwin Salazar, director of youth engagement and development at YWCA Quad Cities. "We weren’t just picking and choosing. They had to earn it."

Beyond lawn care, Salazar said the program is designed to prepare students for future careers by teaching professional skills such as interviewing, customer service, communication, and teamwork.

While the students earn a paycheck, they also earned their spot on the team through a competitive hiring process. Applicants were required to submit an application and complete an interview before being selected.

The crew works every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. As the students have gained experience over the summer, they've become efficient enough to split into two teams, allowing them to complete as many as six yards in a single day.

It's More Than Cutting Grass

For student team member Tatiana Bobo, the work is about much more than cutting grass.

"It just means helping out people who struggle doing some things on their own and families who have hard times doing their yards as they’re taking care of their kids," Bobo said.

For Bobo, the greatest reward isn't the paycheck; it's seeing the impact the team's work has on others.

"I love seeing people smile because when people smile, it makes me happy too," she said.

Who Gets The Free Lawn Care?

The program specifically serves single parents, older adults, and people with disabilities who may have difficulty maintaining their lawns. Community support has also played a major role in the program's success, with every lawn mower used by the team donated by local residents.

For Rock Island resident Rachel Nelson, the free lawn care has been a tremendous relief.

"It’s absolutely beautiful," Nelson said. "I’m very happy to pull into my driveway and see my perfectly cut yard and not have to worry about spending two to three hours out here."

Nelson works full-time, attends school, and cares for her daughter. She said hiring a professional lawn service would have cost hundreds of dollars; money she can now put toward other priorities.

"I’m so thankful to be able to have this opportunity so that I can spend that time with my daughter," Nelson said.