It was 8 a.m. when Baltimore's "Squeegee Boys" showed up at M&T Bank Stadium Sunday before the Ravens took on the New York Jets.
Except this time, instead of cleaning car windshields and hoping for payment, they helped keep the parking lots clean and received an hourly stipend.
The Ravens have created the "Green Team," a one-day work, one-day pay program for youth and young adults on gameday. It's a partnership between the Ravens, Star Services, and the Mayor's Office of African American Male Engagement (MOAAME).
The workers greeted fans, promoted recycling, sorted waste, and assisted with proper trash collection at parking lots B, C, G, and H.
Before the Ravens got a win over the Jets, they had a win-win in the community.
"These experiences allow youth to gain meaningful work experience, contribute to a major community event, build transferable skills in a structured and supportive environment, and interact with fans who often express appreciation for their contributions to the game day experience," said Tracey Estep, who is the Chief of Operations for MOAAME.
"Participants also shared that they enjoyed being part of the Green Team and are looking forward to future opportunities."
The project was launched on Oct. 26 before the Ravens' game against the Chicago Bears and has been a success. Ten participants work six-hour shifts (8 a.m. – 2 p.m.) alongside two mentors and are paid $15/hour, meaning they end the day with $90 on what's essentially a debit card.
Under the leadership of Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott, the MOAAME has established a “Squeegee Collaborative,” which aims to eliminate the need to squeegee in Baltimore by creating pathways to work, education, entrepreneurship, and support services.
It's also a potential pathway to workforce opportunities within M&T Bank Stadium and the broader event management industry.
The program is beneficial not only for the Ravens and keeping lots cleaner for fans, but is also environmentally friendly. The workers help to inform incoming fans to separate their recyclables so they can be collected before the city street sweeper comes through and it all ends up in the trash.
"The Baltimore Ravens are thrilled to be partnering with the Mayor's Office of African American Male Engagement as part of our Parking Lot Green Team," Ravens Director of Stadium Operations Evan Cohen said.
"M&T Bank Stadium is a LEED Gold Certified venue pursuing platinum status through numerous zero-waste initiatives. As we look to keep our carbon footprint at a minimum, capturing the tailgating recyclables from our guests is one major area of focus. The MOAAME team is critical to ensure the recyclable materials are sorted properly and the Ravens can avoid single-stream waste from our parking lots."
