05/25/2025
Oftentimes, young people face social determinants of health that may lead them to seek creative financial solutions to provide for their families and others.
Yesterday, I received a text message from one of our youth and their parent, stating that their cell phone service had been cut off. After speaking with the young person and encouraging them to be innovative, I suggested they consider providing lawn care services in their neighborhood. While checking in on their well-being, I also decided to provide some resources for the family. Since the young person's phone was off, I calls parent instead to speak to the young person. To my surprise, the young person informed me that they were at the gas station, filling up their tank to start cutting grass.
What warmed my heart was that, despite not having a lawnmower, a gas can, or money for gas, they found a way to make it happen. Within a few hours, they had already started their business. All they needed was some reassurance, resources, and a little guidance.
Oftentimes, advice is not enough. Some people must see it to believe it before they can achieve it. Yesterday, we provided the young person with guidance on how to start their business, helped them execute their first lawn care service professionally, and taught them what it means to go the extra mile.
At first, we noticed the young person cutting corners leaving trash that would ultimately end up back in the neighborhood or get shredded into small pieces. By the time we finished working with them, we had shown them the importance of quality service. We helped them adjust the lawnmower to get a better cut that would prevent the lawn from becoming patchy. The grass would ultimately benefit, and the aesthetic would be more pleasing. Most importantly, we wanted the young person to understand that their work was their signature and an advertisement for future and repeat customers.
Be Who You Needed.
MERA CARES
