CORPUS CHRISTI (Kiii News) -
For some kids, the summer hasn't been all about kicking back and having time off from school.
For some, the last few weeks has meant swapping their video games for tools. Tools that are helping build a better community.
Noah Gilbert has been working under the hot South Texas sun for the last six weeks, trading sleeping-in and the cool air conditioning for some real-life skills.
He is one of a handful of kids over the age 16 who are taking part in the Ramp it Up Youth Project. The kids are not volunteering their time. They are actually getting paid by Workforce Solutions of the Coastal Bend; but the idea is for the kids to give back.
"It opens their eyes to volunteerism, to quality of life," said Monika De La Garza of Workforce Solutions. "All aspects of what it takes to live in our community."
Since July 2, they have been building ramps for some of our a neediest residents, like Christopher Lopez's mom.
"Having a ramp like this helps big time with mobility issues that she's facing more and more every day," Lopez said.
His mom has had Alzheimer's disease for the last eight years. The ramp will not only help get her in and out of the house with more ease. He thinks it will bring his mom a bit of joy.
"When it cools down, yeah, it will be easer to take her out and enjoy a cool day," Lopez said.
The kids are learning a valuable trade, carpentry, and the skills to sustain a job in the future.
The Ramp it Up program is a collaboration between Work Force Solutions of the Coastal Bend, the Area Agency on Aging and the Corpus Christi Independent School District.
Workforce Solutions has several other programs that employ youth. If you are a parent and want to find out how you can sign up your kid, give them a call at 361-882-7491.
