Every year, the youth of New Britain, Connecticut band together to clean up their neighborhood. They honor Samuel S. Hicks and other fallen officers. Lead by the FBI Citizen's Academy graduates and Yvette Ghannam, these kids not only work to clean up their streets and parks but also act as shining examples of individuals willing to take personal responsibility for the community around them.
"We need to bring back pride to the community," commented Alderman Francisco Santiago of the effort. The hope has always been that this effort would resonate throughout the community, encouraging other citizens to do their part in the clean up - and it has!
When the sun comes out and these youngsters arrive, wielding their trusty trash pickers and garbage bags, members of the community respond. They can be seen with bags of their own, picking up litter and tidying up walkways. Even area shops will participate in the effort, by tidying up their storefronts and participating in the clean up.
Efforts like these not only beautify communities but they also encourage a positive atmosphere. New residents have relocated to New Britain and crime has lessened, since the clean ups began. Samuel would certainly be proud of what these residents have accomplished.
To read more about this effort, in the New Britain Herald, click here.
To learn more about the FBI Citizen's Academy, click here.
"We need to bring back pride to the community," commented Alderman Francisco Santiago of the effort. The hope has always been that this effort would resonate throughout the community, encouraging other citizens to do their part in the clean up - and it has!
When the sun comes out and these youngsters arrive, wielding their trusty trash pickers and garbage bags, members of the community respond. They can be seen with bags of their own, picking up litter and tidying up walkways. Even area shops will participate in the effort, by tidying up their storefronts and participating in the clean up.
Efforts like these not only beautify communities but they also encourage a positive atmosphere. New residents have relocated to New Britain and crime has lessened, since the clean ups began. Samuel would certainly be proud of what these residents have accomplished.
To read more about this effort, in the New Britain Herald, click here.
To learn more about the FBI Citizen's Academy, click here.
