Erie High School junior Ismail Noor hopes to make some extra cash before he heads back to school in the fall.

Noor is one of 80 teenagers who are participating in the Urban Erie Community Development Corporation's summer job program.

Students involved with the program, provide landscaping and lawn care services to east Erie parks and properties. The students also clean up trash through the nearby neighborhoods.

As the program grows in popularity, it's now in need of additional landscaping equipment.

"People in the community say we have a serious problem amongst youth," said UECDC Chief Executive Gary Horton. "We are here to demonstrate that's a narrow group of youth. It's not the broad group of youth."

The UECDC is seeking donations of lawnmowers, weed wackers, and leaf blowers, which will allow more students to participate in the program.

Students involved in the program work up to 20 hours a week, for $10.00 an hour.

"Most youth are good youth," said Horton. "They are looking for something constructive to do and they are looking for supervision and direction and guidance. This is a demonstration of that."

Noor is living proof of the program's success.

"I got involved because I wanted to help," said Noor. "It's very good."

If you would like to donate, call (814) 899-3904.