One Community Update
April 19, 2024
Source: The Flint Courier News
The Genesee County Land Bank Authority is set to kick off the 20th season of Clean & Green this Saturday! Each year community groups work together to combat blight across the city of Flint, cleaning and clearing thousands of vacant properties each season. Countless stories over the years have really shown the positive impacts that Clean & Green work has within neighborhoods. Neighborhoods today feel safe, warm and inviting when years ago they were overgrown and unmaintained.
This year, from April to September, 66 community-based groups will clean and green 3,500 vacant properties in and around the City of Flint every three weeks. Block-clubs, schools, churches, neighborhood associations, and local non-profits are some of the 66 community-based groups participating in the 2024 Clean & Green program.
Each group receives a stipend for maintaining at least 25 properties every three weeks. Six new groups were selected to participate this season and 60 returning groups. Most of the groups include neighborhood youth, who then create change in their own neighborhoods.
Community groups will receive their materials for the program this Saturday April 20, 2024 at an in person material distribution event. Groups will receive Clean & Green T-shirts, custom yard signs, trash grabbers, program guides and service area maps to assist in their cleaning and greening work.
Clean & Green will officially kick off the season at their digital kick-off event via Zoom on Friday, April 26, 2024. Representatives from each of the Clean & Green groups will gather together virtually to review program information, guidelines and resources.
Residents can anticipate seeing an impact as Clean Green volunteers clean, clear and beautify neighborhoods across the city of Flint. Groups often start with an area wide clean up to prep for regular mowing. Residents are encouraged to connect with local Clean & Green volunteers to support the fight against blight efforts.
Clean & Green work has positive ripple effects within the neighborhoods they work in. making them safer. According to research by the University of Michigan, Youth Violence Prevention Center, Clean & Green maintenance significantly reduces crime. Clean & Green engaged areas compared to street segments with vacant, abandoned lots without Clean & Green activities have: 30 percent fewer assaults, 40 percent fewer violent crimes overall, lower rates of child maltreatment and lower rates of youth gun violence.
For full report, please click the source link above.
