A program that matches older adults and people living with disabilities with teens interested in earning money for snow shoveling after storms was featured in a recent editorial by the Boston Globe.

According to the article, there are roughly 30 teens that completed the application and CORI form that are supporting more than 60 homeowners with snow clearing. The program itself has been around for more than 20 years. The article noted that Cambridge and Brookline also have similar programs (Brookline adds leaf raking).

The Globe talked about the need to clear sidewalks as well:

At the same time, sidewalks do need to be cleared. In fact, many municipalities require homeowners to clear sidewalks outside their home. The rule in Boston says sidewalks must be cleared within three daylight hours of the end of a storm, and residents can be fined for noncompliance. As of Thursday afternoon, Boston had issued 763 violations.

It’s a reasonable requirement that keeps sidewalks passable. Plenty of people are perfectly capable of shoveling their sidewalks, or paying a private contractor to do it, and they should.

But not everyone who fails to shovel is just lazy or cheap. For those who can’t safely shovel, cities should offer help with program’s like Somerville’s — which has the added benefit of providing job opportunities for teens and bringing the community closer together.

Communities working to become more age-friendly can use the Somerville program as an example with information here.