Annual Park City Sweep

On Saturday, April 24, Groundwork Bridgeport organized over 40 different sites throughout Bridgeport which were worked on by various schools, clubs, and groups. Service for Peace’s goal was to bring together as participants in the project those whom we serve. The turn out was great, residents from the Prospect House (a residence and soup kitchen for the homeless), residents from Homes for the Brave (a residence and soup kitchen for homeless veterans).
Oomer Syed from Groundwork Bridgeport and Reverend Jones from CARP joined members from Service for Peace and UB students to garden and clear an overgrown lot. Service for Peace worked at two sites from 9am to noon, the cites worked at were the Center for Women and Families and a lot owned by the YMCA. The most challenging site was at the YMCA. They cleared waist high dead plants, garbage, rocks, and small trees which filled the lot. Fun was had using the sickle to cut down dead plants with Sanghoon Mudgett yelling ‘four’ while swinging and Tamami Kauamura holding down a 9 foot tall tree. Paul, the director of the YMCA came out to show his support and thank them for helping improve the community and said they could name the lot ‘Service for Peace Garden’ or whatever they choose and can even make the lot into something they like. Suggestions included a garden, a park, and a soccer field.
To finish the project they reflected on the day’s work answering the big question, what difference was made and how can we make it last? According to Lillie Kirkley, president of Service for Peace, “there are definite plans to follow up on the lot during the Summer of Service program in July” (a ten day long educational and service based summer camp for teens) where they will be turning the empty lot into a community place for everyone to enjoy. To wrap up the day Groundwork Bridgeport held a picnic at their headquarters for all volunteers after the project.