This past June, ASEZ carried out a series of cleanups in partnership with the Office of the Bronx Borough for a month. For context, New York City is composed of five boroughs—Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, the Bronx, and Staten Island. Each borough is represented by an elected official known as the Borough President, representing for the residents of their district. In the Bronx, that means 1.5 million people.
The Bronx, located in the northern part of New York City, is a metropolitan area that is home to cultural and tourist attractions such as Yankee Stadium and the Bronx Zoo. However, due to its high population density and industrial and commercial activity, it has continuously faced issues such as street litter, illegal dumping, and environmental sanitation problems. These conditions negatively affect not only residents’ living environments but also crime rates and the area’s public image. As a result, creating a clean and safe local environment has emerged as an urgent task.
The current Borough President, Vanessa L. Gibson, previously served as a New York City Councilmember. During that time, ASEZ had the opportunity to work with her under the banner of ASEZ. She was deeply moved by the work ASEZ did to clean the streets and parks of the Bronx. So when she began developing a new campaign to promote cleaner streets and youth volunteerism in preparation for the summer, ASEZ was the first organization that came to mind.
Her team reached out to ASEZ, and in their message, they wrote:
“I can’t think of anything greater than restoring public health standards in this borough. This initiative will exemplify the positive outcomes of immediate action, and we hope it will encourage Bronxites to be part of the solution. ASEZ has been an example of great leadership and collaboration.”
Throughout the month of June, ASEZ carried out a series of cleanups in streets and parks of Bronx that culminated in the ASEZ Reduce Crime Together Forum, held at the Bronx Borough President’s office. At the conclusion of the forum, President Gibson presented ASEZ with an official proclamation, which read in part:
“…for the past eight years, ASEZ has mobilized students and residents alike to take action through impactful cleanup initiatives across our borough… ASEZ continues to champion the vital link between environmental cleanliness and crime reduction, demonstrating how youth-led volunteerism can uplift entire communities and pave the way for a brighter, safer future for all Bronx residents. The Bronx is proud to recognize ASEZ’s dedication, leadership, and tireless efforts to build a more sustainable, united borough—values that resonate with our mission to uplift and empower every corner of our community…”
At the close of the proclamation, she officially declared June 30th as ASEZ Day in the Bronx, in recognition of ASEZ’s positive and lasting impact on the environment and the community.
The Bronx is often viewed through the lens of bad news or negative headlines. Yet in this same place, ASEZ has become a beacon of hope. Local news outlets have covered their good deeds, residents recognize their blue shirts, complimenting members as they pass by. Small clean-up activities came together to become a driving force in restoring local safety and community spirit, showing that the power of young people can change a city.
It is hoped that ASEZ’s continued efforts will serve as an important catalyst for improving the environment and restoring communities in the Bronx and, further, in cities around the world.