On June 9, 2025, college students and local leaders came together for the ASEZ Westchester Avenue Cleanup to improve a busy area of the Bronx. A total of 36 volunteers gathered along this street in South Bronx—a major roadway lined with shops, homes, and transit stops—to clean and restore the area.
The group included students from Monroe University, Lehman College, Fordham University, FIT, and Mercy University. They worked together with members of the community and welcomed local leaders, such as the Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson, Rafael Gomez (Bronx Borough Community Liaison for Health & Human Services), and Matan Kogen (Bronx District Attorney Internal Affairs Coordinator).
Volunteers collected trash, removed litter, and helped refresh a stretch of Westchester Avenue that sees daily use by thousands of residents. Their efforts helped create a cleaner and safer environment for everyone passing through the area.
Working Together for a Cleaner Bronx
This cleanup also supported several ASEZ campaigns, including Reduce Crime Together and Zero Plastic 2040, as well as a local campaign, Don’t Dump on the Bronx. Their combined effort made a visible difference and supported ongoing work to keep the Bronx clean and cared for.
Bronx Borough President Gibson shared her thoughts during the event: “I want to applaud ASEZ for the operation and all that they are doing. This is a part of our effort to bring more young people into the conversation, and being here today in the South Bronx is about our commitment to cleaning the Bronx, beautifying, and enhancing the quality of life.”
The Westchester Avenue Cleanup showed what can happen when students, residents, and leaders work side by side. Leshly Lopez, the Monroe University ASEZ Club President, expressed, “I was really moved by how people reacted. You could tell they weren’t used to seeing anyone take care of the neighborhood—they kept stopping to thank us. It reminded me why it’s so important that we keep coming back.”
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