CHESTER SWEEPS
By Ciana Bowers
During the month of October, Chester City Sweeps came to clean Widener’s off-campus community. Many Widener students, a few alumni, and faculty came together to pick up trash at Sunhill. Snacks, trash bags, rakes, gloves, and masks were provided for volunteers who came to help with the cause. Front lawns and sidewalks got a much needed clean on 15th street and beyond.
This event was created by three women who own their own non-profits. Carol Kazeem of A.O.E.S, Me’chelle Gadson of the Chester Uplifting program, and Kristie Barnes of Unapologetically Speaking came together to create a program that would change the look of Chester one block at a time. Together they made Chester City Sweeps, which enables Chester residents to take ownership and pride in the look of their community.
Chester City Sweeps is a volunteer-based community service group. They use donated supplies to tackle the trash issue in the streets. They believe that tackling the cleanliness of the city is a tangible step in the right direction to change the negative associations to the city. Violence and poverty are not all the city has to offer, and it is our job as residents to take part in the role as stakeholders and community members. Twice a month they service the same community we call home to remind ourselves just what C-city pride is all about.
Students who took part in the event felt Chester Sweeps was a great cause. Business management student Christina Bowers attended the event and stated that “I feel like we don’t take care of the city as much as we should, so even just cleaning up the streets of what we will call home for the next few years or so is a good way to show that we care.”
To see how you can take part in cleaning up the city, follow Chester City Sweeps on social media
