NILES — Johntae Williamson, 14, is saving up to buy his own cell phone.

On Friday, July 27, Williamson got a little closer to having the funds for that purchase as he joined eight other youth in bettering the first ward community with a neighborhood cleanup. Children who assisted in the project got more than the reward of knowing they left their community improved — they also got paid.

Wearing neon orange and yellow vests, the youth combed the area between the Niles Amtrak station and Lake Street.

“We walk around the neighborhood and pick up trash and make sure the neighborhood is clean,” Williamson said. “Make it look nice.”

The project was initiated by city councilmember Georgia Boggs, who represents the first ward. Boggs said she noticed a lot of trash building up around beloved parks and neighborhoods. With the aim to mobilize youth and inspire them to care for their communities, Boggs started the inaugural First Ward Community Clean-Up earlier this summer. She encouraged youth in the first ward to sign up and offered to pay them an allowance for participating.

“[This is about] being proud of your neighborhood,” Boggs said.

Boggs hosted a barbecue fundraiser on June 9 and managed to raise about $400, after expenses for the cause. That money will be divided up to youth who spend an hour of their Fridays cleaning their neighborhood. The cleanups will continue throughout the summer, until funds run out, Boggs said. About a dozen children have signed up for project. On Friday, children earned $10 for the total hour and a half of cleanup. Boggs said first ward children are still welcome to sign up and join. They can do so by calling Boggs at (269) 683-3873.

On Friday, only nine of the dozen could participate and so they strapped on their vests and set to work, under the guidance of Boggs and volunteer chaperone Odie Woods, of Niles.

Woods’ own two children, twins Jamir and Jaoen, 8, were among those participating in the cleanup Friday.

Woods said keeping his neighborhood clean is a priority and he even helps to cut one of his neighbors’ grass. Seeing his children work toward the same goal to better their community made him feel proud, he said.

Besides cleaning up their neighborhood, youth also helped to get the word out about the project by passing out fliers.

“The kids have been really, really good,” Boggs said. “I think it starts with these young people. I think if they can have the pride of picking up their neighborhood, then everybody can follow suit.”

Youth who took part in the clean-up also signed a pledge, promising to be “a good citizen” and help to spread awareness about the importance of caring for the community.

Sixteen-year-old Nick Wickizer said he knows the cleanup will be appreciated by more just the people in his neighborhood.

“It keeps everybody in Niles happy, making Niles look good,” Wickizer said.