Powellhurst-Gilbert Clean Up Event

On April 19, 2025, between 10:00am and 12:00pm, Safe Blocks Programstaff joined several community partners to support a community street cleanup in the Jade District, just in time for Earth Day and the 82nd Avenue Parade of Roses. About 25 volunteers participated in the cleanup, organized by staff from APANOand SOLVE, focusing on a busy area centered at the intersection of SE 82nd and SE Division.

It was a beautiful morning to clean. Encouraged by honks of support from passing motorists, the team picked and bagged trash along SE Division from 79th to 90th, and along 82nd from Mill to Powell. All in all, the team collected over 400 gallons of trash (and 1 tire) in just 2 hours, filling at least 20 heavy-duty bags of trash. Across the street, BMO Bank graciously lent space in their parking lot for a refreshment station. A post-cleanup lunch and volunteer mingle was sponsored by Safe Blocks, with food provided by CeCe's Gyros. Events like this bring together residents from all-over our city, combining community engagement with environmental responsibility to create a cleaner, more welcoming environment, while promoting a sense of community ownership and pride in public spaces.

Safe Blocks staff also use these events for community education and outreach. Volunteers learned about other Safe Blocks services, as well as changes coming to the 82nd Avenue corridor and their impact on safety. Staff and volunteers explored realistic ways in which community members can both get and stay actively involved in crime reduction and increasing safety in their neighborhoods. Overall, it was a great opportunity for Safe Blocks to support community safety improvement through volunteering and beautification, as well as through get to know folks who live, work, eat, play or pray in our focus neighborhood of Powellhurst-Gilbert.