On June 15, 2025, ASEZ WAO volunteers organized a cleanup along Bailey Avenue in the Bronx, from 225th to 230th Street. This section of the neighborhood is often overlooked due to its location near a major highway and had been weighed down by illegal dumping, bulky trash, and overgrown weeds. Plants pushing through cracks in the sidewalk were a clear sign of how long the area had gone without care.
Despite the rain in the forecast, volunteers came prepared with gloves and ponchos, ready to make a difference. Together, they collected 67 bags of trash, removed five abandoned chairs and a car bumper, and cleared sidewalks that had been buried under layers of weeds. For many neighbors, it was the first time in years the sidewalks felt open, safe, and walkable again.
Helping the Bronx Shine Again
The cleanup was part of ASEZ WAO’s Green Earth Campaign, which promotes environmental sustainability through local action. It also supported the Bronx Borough President’s Don’t Dump on the Bronx initiative, which focuses on restoring dignity to neighborhoods that have been neglected for far too long. One neighbor expressed, “People always forget about this block because of the highway. But today, it felt like someone finally saw how bad it is.”
Some residents shared their concerns that the street might soon fall back into disrepair. Volunteers offered reassurance: this wasn’t a one-time effort. Rain didn’t stop them, and future cleanups won’t either. With consistency and care, efforts like these remind us of what’s possible when a community comes together.
To view more ASEZ WAO events, please visit our activities page.
