Each Tuesday morning during the summer concert season, a dedicated group from Intandem’s Community Based Pre-Vocational Program arrives at Veterans Memorial Community Park with trash bags in hand and a sense of purpose.
Their mission: help clean up litter left behind after Music Mania Mondays, the Town of Niagara’s popular weekly concert series that draws large crowds and lively energy to the park.
Now in its second year, the cleanup partnership between Intandem and the Town of Niagara Parks Department has grown into a meaningful collaboration that benefits both the community, and the individuals involved.
“This gives us great exposure and allows the community to see we’re an essential part of it,” said Denny Klidonas, director of Employment Services at Intandem. “It’s also a great way for our participants to give back and learn valuable job skills. We’re grateful to Sylvia Virtuoso, Town of Niagara supervisor, and her colleagues for allowing us this tremendous opportunity.”
The cleanup crew consists of participants in Intandem’s employment readiness program, which supports individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in gaining real-world work experience and building independence.
Phil Mitchell, with the Town of Niagara Parks Department, said he appreciates the work of the Intandem crew. It relieves his staff from having to worry about cleaning up litter so they can focus on tearing down the stage.
“I appreciate their willingness to help and their attention to detail,” he said. “They are out there making the community look good and they take pride in doing it.”
Participants assist in picking up discarded bottles, food wrappers and other debris scattered throughout the park after the event, helping restore the space for the community’s enjoyment.
For some, the experience is a stepping stone to future employment opportunities. For others, it’s a source of pride.
“Everything I do I look at as a training experience,” said Angela C. “I don’t like a mess. I like to keep the parks clean.”
Intandem, which operates in Niagara and Cattaraugus counties, offers a range of supports including employment services, day programs, and residential support. The cleanup initiative is one of several ways the organization promotes inclusion through community engagement.
Music Mania Mondays continue weekly through the summer. For more information about Intandem and its programs, visit www.intandem.org.