Westcott Clean & Green Project
Kailar Vorise
Published: June 20, 2012
Saturday, June 16, the Auburn-Gresham/ Englewood Neighborhood Housing Services (NHS) office hosted a second NeighborWorks Day. The Westcott Clean & Green NeighborWorks Project was planned and implemented with the residents of the “R Kids Our Future” block club. The project goal was to modify condition of the block to create a healthier environment. Neighborhood Housing Services, once again, received a helpful hand from local partners - Lowe's at 79th and Cicero and added assistance from the Gaia Movement, the Sheriff's Work Alternative Program (SWAP), Project Simeon and many local and cooperate volunteers. Lowe's provided all of the supplies and provided gardening and beatification direction.
The Westcott Project began with a community clean-up. The event went green, with the help of the Gaia Movement, by making good use of vacant land, turning it into a community garden. Tires were re-purposed as flower pots, previously used metal drums were re-purposed as trash bins, and previously used wood was used to create a sitting bench and raised flower beds. The new “green” garden is located at the corner of 79th Place and Normal. In addition to the work at the garden, residential fences and porches were painted; numerous residential gardens received plants, flowers and moss. Residents learned about the products and services NHS provides to keep homes and neighborhoods in good health. If you are ever in the area of 79th and Normal, be sure to visit this beautiful site; it's open to all.
Special thanks to Lowe’s (79th & Cicero), the R Kids Our Future block club, SWAP, the Gaia Movement, Project Simeon and the many NHS corporate/community volunteers