The Covington Clean and Safe Initiative, a partnership between Life Learning Center, the Covington Business Council, and the City of Covington is a community program focused on improving the cleanliness and safety of Covington’s downtown streets, public spaces, and entertainment districts while creating meaningful workforce opportunities.
Launched in spring 2026 and continuing through October, the initiative provides bridge employment opportunities for participants in Life Learning Center’s 12-week Foundations for a Better Life program. Participants gain hands-on work experience and professional development skills while helping maintain City streets and sidewalks.
The program began with support from the Haile Foundation through the CBC and will continue through the fall through the support of the R.C. Durr Foundation.
“This is a win-win for everyone,” said Jean Mize, chief operating officer of The R.C. Durr Foundation. “Life Learning Center candidates and members gain access to employment opportunities, while businesses and residents of Covington enjoy a cleaner, more beautiful environment.”
In downtown Covington, safe and clean efforts focus on Madison Avenue from the Ohio River to 17th Street, portions of Scott Boulevard and Greenup Street, as well as portions 3 rd Street, Park Place, 4th Street, 5th Street, 6th Street, Pike Street, 7th Street, Saratoga Street, and MLK Jr. Boulevard. In Mainstrasse Village, crews focus on Main Street, 6th Street, and portions of 5th and Bakewell Streets. In Latonia, the business district at Ritte’s Corner, including portions of Winston Avenue, Decoursey Avenue, Southern Avenue, 36th Street, 38th Street, and Inez Street have been the focus.
Since this project began, Covington residents and business owners have noticed the difference.
“People come and thank us all the time. It’s great,” said Melissa Holloway, a Clean and Safe Crew team member who has participated since March. “It’s important because we get a lot of visitors. Who wants to see dirty streets? We keep the trash out of the streets and keep debris from building up in the drains.”
Fellow Covington Clean and Safe team member, Mike McConnell, said his favorite part of the job is “seeing the satisfaction in people’s faces.”
A clean city reflects the dedication and pride of the people who live and work there. It feels good to be in a city where residents respect and care for the spaces they share. According to Holloway and McConnell, it’s impressive what the team can pick up when they work together, noting that a weekly haul can be around 45 buckets of debris.
“Workforce development is at the core of Life Learning Center. We are driven by our belief that employment restores dignity, hope, and pride,” said Alecia Webb-Edgington.
For additional information or to become a sponsor of this initiative, please click the link here: Covington Clean and Safe Initiative.
Life Learning Center