Raising Men Lawn Care: Innovating Youth & Serving the Community

Raising Men Lawn Care Tallahassee, located in Tallahassee, FL, is a group of young black males who provide free lawn care service to single mothers, the elderly, the disabled and veterans. They volunteer their time and equipment. The program is two fold as it mentors the importance of cultural values to the young men as well. Lets offset some of the negativity portrayed of young black males with positivism.

The group was founded by Rodney Smith in Summer of 2015. As a Alabama A&M undergrad he was mowing his lawn one day and saw an elderly man struggling to do the same. He decided to help. The group was born from there. The objective is to provide elders and single mothers who do not have the time, resources and/or money to manicure their yards. "I want to restore the importance and understanding of giving back to the community. I want to show our children (our future) that by helping others they too will receive a sense of accomplishment, self-esteem, moral value and purpose in themselves." After sharing his story, other folks as myself decided to help keep the program going by expanding in different locations. Right now we are located in Huntsville AL, Tallahasse FL, and township Michigan.

To participate the kids fill out a participation form. (fill out form here) Some kids satisfy various community service requirements. Here in Tallahassee, we just recently reached out to juvenile detention centers and juvenile probation centers in order to absorb and mentor to our young men to help preventive them from going down a course of incarceration. The kids are encouraged by a ranking system similar to that of karate. Every ten yards cut, the kids receive a different color shirt. They start at white and go to black.

We partner with non profit groups that assist the elderly who provide find yards to cut. Everything we do is FREE of charge. Each chapter has a gofundme page which helps to offset the cost of fuel and supplies such as lawnmower blades, weed eater string etc.. Locally, my kids are currently working towards the goal 50 yards by Summer's end not only for a black shirt but for trip Atlanta to the MLK memorial. There they will get to see the history of a true humanitarian. The kids love it, they call and or text asking when we are going out again. We typically go out 3-5 times a weeks and for them during these summer months it's still not enough!

"RMLC has taught me the importance of responsibility and the best part is that I can do it with friends.It teaches me me how to take care of others and service my community and how to take care of my responsibilities"

- Christian McLaurin Age 12

The message I want to instill is no matter how young or old, small or tall they are or cultural background they come from, they are capable of whatever they put their mind to. From learning to use a lawn mower or weed eater, blower to racking and piling leaves, whilst developing team work, camaraderie, leadership, and listening skills, we will achieve our ultimate goal.