Strong wind for the past few months has blown garbage and debris throughout Lethbridge, but if you haven’t noticed any in the downtown core it’s not because the wind missed it. A collaborative program is sweeping the city, keeping downtown streets clean and giving the less fortunate a fresh start.
It’s called Clean Sweep, a joint initiative between Social Housing in Action, the Business Revitalization Zone and the Heart Of Our City Revitalization Committee. Bear Wabisca is a participant in the program going from business to business picking up cardboard for recycling. He describes the program as a chance for him to get up every day, make some extra money and do something productive with his day.
Get breaking National news
Downtown Lethbridge BRZ Executive Director, Ted Stilson says “what we’re trying to do with the whole program is to work with the city’s homeless people and get them back into employment.”
Client’s of the program maintain the area from Scenic to Stafford Drive and 1st to 6th Avenue keeping sidewalks, gutters and lanes free of debris. Stilson says the crew has been out over the past couple of months removing all the unwanted stuff that’s been blowing around in the downtown area saying “there has been a lot of garbage, but you’re probably not seeing it because they’re doing a lot of detailing work.”
Not all program participants are homeless though. Wabisca has his own apartment, but says he’s seen other benefits from being involved in the Clean Sweep Program saying “the community’s been really great, supportive.”
Program coordinator Alatise Atoa says it gives business people the chance to get to know the crew and it’s building a warm relationship between the two groups. One of the businesses involved is the Round Street Café where Manager Aaron Dowson says, “we give them free coffee every morning and any leftover cinnamon buns and muffins and stuff and they love it.” Creating a win-win situation for businesses, program participants and the community.
Comments
Want to discuss? Please read our Commenting Policy first.