HAND launches cleanup program

Bloomington's Housing and Neighborhood Development Department is offering free neighborhood cleanup programs beginning May 3 for local groups. The HAND Department's cleanup program offers assistance with the removal of construction debris, trash, unwanted clothes and food, as well as recyclable materials. These cleanup opportunities will be held Saturday mornings beginning May 3 and ending July 12.\nThe program committee is looking for neighborhoods that have not received assistance from HAND in the past two years. More important though, is the community's demonstration that it has the neighborhood's support with the cleanup. Vickie Provine, the Program Manager for HAND, said neighborhood cooperation is very important when looking at applicants for the cleanup.\n"It really is a neighborhood issue," Provine said. "If we come out and work on the area, that work won't make much of a difference in the long run if the neighborhood doesn't put in the effort to maintain that. So we look for places that have a lot of neighborhood support with this."\nThe HAND Department is also responsible for the administration of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and programs for the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). According to the organization's Web site, "the objectives of the program are to benefit low and moderate income persons, to prevent or eliminate slums and blight, and to meet particularly urgent community development needs that pose a serious and immediate threat to the health and welfare of the community."\nProvine said the HAND Department is able to offer free neighborhood cleanup because of the help it receives from local residents.\n"It's a win-win situation to have neighbors chip in and help our staff," Provine said. "It's a great way for people to clean out their garages or basement. But more importantly, it's a great way for people to make their neighborhood a better place."\nShirley Evans agrees. Evans, the president of the Broadview Neighborhood Association, helped organize last June's cleanup effort for her neighborhood.\n"Not only did they pick up trash, but also paint and hazardous materials," Evans said. "Many of our residents had (hazardous materials), but had no idea where to get rid of them. With the help of the HAND department volunteers and several residents, we were able to not only leave trash at the drop-off location, but several volunteers with trucks went home to gather debris that our older residents were not able to dispose of by themselves."\nNeighborhood groups interested in the cleanup must apply by March 28 at the HAND Department at 401 N. Morton St., Suite 130.\n"It was a big success story," Evans said. "I recommend this for any neighborhood that needs the help. We were lucky to have such dedicated neighborhood volunteers"