By Anita Weier
Northside News

Alder Charles Myadze has been working with Sustain Dane and Northside community centers to develop a summer program that will train local teens for work in the green economy and provide work experience.

Funded with a $30,000 grant from the City of Madison’s Community Development Division and $40,000 from the National League of Cities, the program will start in June with at least six people ages 14 to 18. Twenty youngsters have applied, after outreach to community centers and elsewhere.

The program is based on an existing program in the state of Oregon. Besides training the young people, the program will connect them with a network of businesses.

“It has been an honor to work with Sustain Dane to support and help advocate for this program to become a reality,” said Myadze, who represents District 18 on the Madison Common Council.

Community centers participating include the Vera Court Neighborhood Center, Warner Park Community Recreation Center and the Northport and Packers Community Learning Center.