The City of Dubuque announced that with the help of the $5,000 Recognition Award from AARP, eight Dubuque groups received grants to improve their neighborhoods through the city’s first high-impact service initiative, Love Your Block.
The projects selected for the grants were eligible to receive up to $750 in assistance. The winners included community garden projects, neighborhood beatification plans and school organized clean up efforts. Love Your Block empowers volunteers to make a direct and meaningful impact in their neighborhoods while strengthening community cohesiveness.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for neighbors to work together to improve their block, get to know each other better, and generally improve their quality of life,” Point Neighborhood President Sandi Plumley said.
Fifteen applications were received for the Love Your Block program: the following eight projects were selected to receive Love Your Block grants
•Cedar Lake Subdivision Residents: Landscaping projects and new neighborhood benches
•Fulton School Girl Scouts: Clean up neighbors yards around Fulton School
•Indiana Ct. Neighbors: Beautify neighborhood concrete wall
•Mayfair Ct. Residents: Input pocket garden and benches
•People Associated with Lincoln School (P.A.L.S.) and Lincoln School’s Green Team: Clean up Lincoln School grounds, mulch front landscaping area and plant flowers
•Rosedale Garden Club: Paint and install rain barrels to help conserve water
•The Point Neighborhood Association: Create welcome baskets for new neighbors
•Upper Main Street Neighbors: Revitalize spring garden
Love Your Block initiative was developed as part of Take Action Dubuque, Dubuque’s high-impact service plan that aims to increase volunteerism and utilize volunteers to address the city’s needs. The new initiative encourages neighbors to work together to enhance their community and make their neighborhood an even more viable, livable and equitable community. Take Action Dubuque was made possible when the City of Dubuque joined the Cities of Service – AARP Volunteer Chief Service Officer Initiative in July 2011.
For more information about Take Action Dubuque and Love Your Block visit, www.cityofdubuque.org/volunteer. Feel free to also contact Mary Bridget Corken at (563) 690-6048 or email mcorken@cityofdubuque.org.