Their shirts are green and so is their mission.

On Thurs., July 5, the seventh season of Take Pride Winnipeg’s Green Wave took to Bruce Park as part of a cleaning blitz.

"This makes a difference to people who enjoy these areas," said Coun. Scott Fielding (St. James-Brooklands).

Green Wave employs 16 city youth aged 16 to 19 for the summer months, who assist Winnipeg BIZs to keep their neighbourhood clean and beautiful through litter pickup, graffiti removal, planter maintenance and park restoration.

On a recent sunny Thursday morning, the team repainted two dull and grey park buildings, and helped local children put their handprints on the wall as a way to help prevent tagging.

Recent Kelvin High School grad Vhargavi Patel said for many students, the team is often a first job and a great way to follow up graduation.

"It’s a great way to do something meaningful with our summer," she said.

Gloria Cardwell-Hoeppner, executive director of the West End BIZ, thanked students for their efforts.

Last year, two summer students helped collect more than 2,250 bags of litter from West End streets, removed nearly 200 posters from hydro poles and helped clean 313 back lanes. That’s on top of the work the BIZ’s staff of 12 accomplished.

"These kids are such an inspiration and resource to (the) BIZ," she said.

The work is a chance for youth to explore new areas of the city, Cardwell-Hoeppner added, noting her organization tries to teach students as much as they can about the history and dynamics of the West End.

"They learn about different communities and how they can make an impact in those communities," she said.

Green Wave is funded by the City of Winnipeg and BFI Canada, and is administered by Take Pride Winnipeg!

Dan Szun of BFI Canada said he looks forward to seeing the difference students are able to make in the community.

"We believe in keeping our streets and parks clean and green," he said.

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matt.preprost@canstarnews.com