CCIL Landscape Services Appreciation Ceremony

Under the direction of Eric Hage, managers Beau Barnett, Alex Hurd, Kris Sokol and Matt Stickels honored trainees and crew leaders at CCIL’s Annual Landscape Appreciation Ceremony Friday, December 5, 2008. Distinguished guests included CCIL board members, city officials and a variety of loyal vendors.

Thirty-three trainees received certificates for completing one year of hands-on training and 8 trainees graduated from the two-year landscape training program. Kenneth Brooks, George Brown and John Lamb were recognized as the Most Improved Groundskeepers. Gary Wetter, Carl Lee and Selester Mims were awarded Groundskeepers of the Year. Ceremony attendees enjoyed a delicious meal and were dazzled upon hearing compelling, heartfelt testimonials from two of the graduates - Geoffrey McKnight and Carl Lee.

CCIL, in partnership with the City of Chicago and ARAMARK, created a Landscape Services program more than 15 years ago. Through this on-the-job training program participants are placed in a paid work environment and are trained to do landscaping and grounds maintenance. For two consecutive seasons of eight months each, trainees are provided with technical skills and experience in grounds care, equipment use and safety standards.

Key CCIL Landscape Clients:
Chicago Department of Transportation
Chicago Department of General Services
Chicago Park District
Chicago Housing Authority
Chicago Gateway Green
Mayslake Village

CCIL Landscaping Services has become an integral part of the beautification of the city, providing maintenance services to a large portion of the downtown-area medians, sidewalk planters, malls and plazas, and numerous green spaces throughout Chicago. This program enables more than 1,000 formerly homeless men and women to gain skills and employment in landscaping and related industries.

Call Eric Hage at 773-435-8393 today for a FREE estimate on your landscaping needs.