LIIDLII KUE/FORT SIMPSON - "Odd" isn't always the best way to describe someone. But for Tanya Hardisty, co-ordinator of the Odd Job Squad of Fort Simpson, "odd" is nothing but a good thing.

Her squad, composed of three local youths - Curtis McTaggart, Aaron Nadia and Daniel Scott - help keep the community clean and tidy. They even earn pocket money while they're at it.

"They enjoy it," said Hardisty, of her crew. "They probably would enjoy more work, I think the youth really enjoy money," she laughed. "Basically I just call them when there's a job available."

Hardisty liaises with the community, sending out the Odd Job Squad when there's a community member in need of a service, whether it be painting, mowing the lawn, or minor construction work.

"I think it's a good thing for our community," said Hardisty. "Number one, because a lot of jobs are already taken up by college students coming back from school and number two, it keeps our community clean."

It also gives the students work experience and skills, she said.

Co-ordinating the squad is just one part of her job as program co-ordinator at the Deh Cho Friendship Centre. She also creates programs to keep the youth in Fort Simpson busy with positive activities.

Her job keeps her young, she said.

"I like working with the youth, I like finding out what kinds of things interest them. They keep me on my toes."

The program will run until Aug. 27, when the squad must busy themselves in the classroom instead of the community.

One member will miss it.

"We're learning new experiences every day sometimes," said McTaggart, 16. "They teach us and we learn like that. It's like we have a chance for new experiences."

He'll also miss working with Hardisty, he said.

"She's fun, she's good to talk to, we have lots of laughs," McTaggart said.

With the squad back in school, Hardisty will return to her regular programming work. It's no hardship, she said, she loves her job.

"I like it because I get to practise new things like scrapbooking or traditional crafts. It gets interesting."

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