Circle Can Redemption, a local recycling center, is doing all it “can” to help troubled youths get back on track.

The center, which is part of the non-profit organization Youth & Shelter Services (YSS), has been employing disadvantaged teen-agers for nearly 15 years, said John Shilkaitis, manager of Circle.

As part of YSS, Circle Can Redemption runs a job-training program to help youth enter into the work force when finding a job could be difficult. The program is voluntary, but employees do get paid.

Steven Lisenko, floor manager, said the program teaches the kids about all aspects of getting a job, including the application and interview processes and the references necessary.

The job itself “is the bottom of the totem pole,” Lisenko said. But the skills learned are valuable for other jobs that the teens may hold in the future. The employees learn to sort cans and bottles by vendors, and other aspects of recycling.

“They have to greet customers with courtesy, and they learn respect,” Lisenko said. Another important aspect is learning to follow directions, he said.

Some of the employees work on the truck that goes to local businesses to collect cans. “It’s a very positive step,” Lisenko said.

Employees are referred to Circle mostly by YSS. Other kids who have been assigned community service by juvenile courts also complete hours at the center, he said.

At any specific time, the center employs about 12 teen-agers, some are as young as 14- or 15-years old. Eight to 10 adults are employed full time.

“The kids mostly work weekends now, since most of them are in school,” Shilkaitis said.

The center operates like any other redemption center. Cans are purchased and collected from businesses in Ames that pay the typical 5-cent-per-can refund. If Circle employees sort the cans by vendor and recycle them, they can receive 6 cents per can. This profit is used to pay employees.

Donation boxes outside of Cub Foods and Hy-Vee help raise even more funds. Although people who put cans in the boxes do not receive a refund for them; the money from these cans helps the center pay employees and provide funds for shelters and other YSS needs.

Both Lisenko and Shilkaitis think the program is positive for the kids it involves. “I really enjoy working with the kids,” Lisenko said.

Shilkaitis said the jobs are good ways for disadvantaged teen-agers to help themselves. Many local businesses will not hire younger or disadvantaged teens.

“It gives them an opportunity to succeed and improve skills,” he said. “They get to do something productive and earn some money, and these kids haven’t had a lot of opportunities to succeed.”