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Mayor says city program provide 'structure' for young entrepreneurs

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Published  November 19, 2021 8:14pm EST
Atlanta
FOX 5 Atlanta

Mayor says city program provide structure for young entrepreneurs

Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms says a city program to help provide structure to the so-call water boys, the young men who sell water on the side of busy roadways in Atlanta, is working.

ATLANTA - As she promised, Keisha Lance Bottoms has found some jobs for teens who crowded intersections trying to get motorists to hand over a buck for a bottle of water.

"Many of them have that hustle spirit," the mayor said, during a media briefing to emphasize initiatives for children.

Bottoms noted a myriad of ugly incidents involving a segment of the water boys.

In a few instances, there have even been crimes committed. Also, some children have been struck running in and out of traffic. The mayor called for a review and her team identified hundreds of children who went into intersections.

With help from the philanthropic community, teens can sign up for work, including mentoring opportunities at organizations like the Boys and Girls Clubs. The boys are given a stipend of $200. a month.

"We felt they just needed structure," the mayor said.

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