New kicks for students at risk

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ROCHESTER, N.Y. Dozens of Rochester students are giving 20 hours of their time in exchange for some brand new kicks.

The Save Rochester initiative is funded by ESL. They’re calling it a workshop for children and teens living in poverty. It’s also a way to provide intervention services for those at risk of violence.

The students will work 20 community service hours over five days. They’ll go back to school with a new pair of sneakers worth up to a $130.

“Everything’s about strong community so they can see other youth having the same past and having the same goal, whatever they’re looking for,” said Project Coordinator Michael Looney. “They don’t have to be in fear or fret about receiving something that somebody else is … coming alongside to receive the same thing.”

The community service began about an hour ago at the Manhattan Square Park Ice Rink.