COVINGTON, KY - The Life Learning Center (“LLC”), Covington Business Council (“CBC”), and City of Covington (“City”) have partnered to launch the “Covington Clean and Safe Initiative,” a new community pilot program created to enhance the cleanliness and safety of Covington’s downtown streetscapes, public spaces, and entertainment districts while strengthening workforce development.

This initiative officially started on March 30, 2026. In addition to cleaning and beautifying City streets and sidewalks, the initiative creates stable bridge employment for participants enrolled in Life Learning Center’s 12-week “Foundations for a Better Life” program, which provides hands-on work experience and professional development skills training. Some of the LLC participants will also serve as city ambassadors, patrolling downtown areas on foot while managing and delivering services that support residents, visitors, and local businesses.

"Covington is a city that believes in opportunity and in taking pride in our shared spaces,” Covington Mayor Ron Washington said. “The Covington Clean and Safe Initiative brings those values together in a powerful way. Through our partnership with the Life Learning Center and the Covington Business Council, we’re not only investing in cleaner streets and more welcoming public spaces, we’re also investing in people. This initiative helps individuals build brighter futures while strengthening the heart of our city.”

The CBC Board of Directors contributed $25,000 to jump-start the initiative, which utilizes LLC participants to clean City streets and sidewalks in Covington's business and entertainment districts. In downtown Covington, safe and clean efforts will focus on Madison Avenue from the Ohio River to 17th Street, portions of Scott Boulevard and Greenup Street, as well as portions of 3rd Street, Park Place, 4th Street, 5th Street, 6th Street, Pike Street, 7th Street, Saratoga Street, and MLK Jr. Boulevard. In Mainstrasse Village, crews will 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, will be the focus.

“For more than 10 years, Covington Business Council has contributed funding to clean and beautify downtown Covington,” said Jay Fossett, former CBC chair and current board member who worked with Life Learning Center President Alecia Webb-Edington to create the new initiative. “This new initiative will greatly expand those efforts to include the City’s other business and entertainment areas, which will make these areas more attractive and inviting for those who work, live, and visit these areas.”

This program has two primary goals: create cleaner, safer, and more welcoming public spaces in Covington and provide bridge employment opportunities for those working to overcome cycles of poverty and unemployment.

“Workforce development at Life Learning Center is more than securing a job it’s about opportunity, dignity, and a pathway forward,” Webb-Edington said. “This bridge employment opportunity will pave the way for our candidates to have a solid foundation for future employment opportunities. Through the Covington Clean & Safe initiative, individuals are gaining real work experience while helping create a safer, stronger community for everyone.”

The City of Covington, through its Solid Waste and Recycling Division in the Public Works Department, is supporting the initiative by providing tools, trucks, and other support. The initiative is scheduled to run for eight months through October. Businesses and those who live, work, and play in the city can anticipate seeing ambassadors dressed in high-visibility apparel picking up and sweeping up litter and aiding visitors.

“It takes a strong, committed community with dedication and support to make transformative change that empowers people to change their lives and care for the space that they call home,” Webb-Edington said.

For additional information or to become a sponsor of this initiative, please click the link here: Covington Clean and Safe Initiative.