Here you will find a checklist summarizing the important points of the section. What is a neighborhood cleanup program? __ A neighborhood cleanup program is an ongoing project that assumes that effort will be maintained. __ There are three kinds of neighborhood cleanups: Public space cleanup: neighborhood volunteers clean public spaces. Household cleanup: households clean up property and put out hard-to-dispose-of waste for special collection. Community-assisted cleanup: the community helps with permits, permissions, removing abandoned vehicles, etc. __ In any of these cleanups, the community may supply tools, equipment, and/or employees to help neighborhood volunteers. Why conduct a neighborhood cleanup program? __ A neighborhood cleanup program can instill neighborhood pride. __ It can break a cycle of hopelessness and helplessness. __ It gives everyone a chance to contribute. __ A cleanup program enhances neighborhood quality of life. __ It can improve the self-image of residents and of the neighborhood as a whole. __ A neighborhood cleanup program can improve neighborhood health. __ It can help to "green" the neighborhood. __ It makes the neighborhood more attractive to business. __ It can serve as a springboard for other neighborhood actions or activities. __ It can increase the number of relationships and the amount of social capital within the neighborhood. __ A neighborhood cleanup program can encourage the embrace of diversity. Who should be involved in a neighborhood cleanup program? __ Any significant racial or ethnic groups, including the majority group. __ Youth. __ Elders. __ People with disabilities. __ Faith communities. __ Property owners, including absentee owners. __ Renters. __ Neighborhood business owners and managers. __ Neighborhood clubs and associations. __ Health and human service organizations that serve the neighborhood. __ School personnel. __ Neighborhood and/or municipal officials. When should you conduct a neighborhood cleanup program? __ When the weather is good. __ When volunteers are available. __ When the municipality can help. __ When open spaces and streets in the neighborhood are covered with waste. __ When the municipality provides the opportunity. __ When waste presents a danger to children or others. __ When waste presents a danger to health. __ When the neighborhood is interested in economic development. __ When you want to bring the neighborhood together. __ When the neighborhood seems to have lost hope. How do you conduct a neighborhood cleanup program? __ Recruit or find a core group to begin the effort. __ Put together a planning group that represents all groups in the neighborhood. __ Assess the neighborhood. __ Decide what kind of neighborhood cleanup you want to conduct. __ Consider your resources. __ Pick an appropriate place, date and time. __ Recruit volunteers. __ Organize volunteers. __ Plan the cleanup itself. Coordinate the effort. Ask for help from the municipality. Get permissions and permits. Decide what actually needs to be done. Manage volunteers. Work with the media to gain positive publicity. Take care of the nitty gritty. Make the cleanup fun. Celebrate when you're done. __ Run the cleanup. __ Monitor and record your efforts. __ Create a structure to keep the effort going. __ Start planning for the next cleanup.
