Mayor de Blasio Announces 50,000 Blocks Hand Swept By The City Cleanup Corps

Mayor Bill de Blasio today announced that the City Cleanup Corps has hand-swept over 50,000 blocks, among several milestones achieved within six months of the program’s launch.

Since April 2021, Mayor de Blasio’s New Deal-inspired economic recovery program has also removed 600,000 bags of trash, hosted 400,000 work shifts, repainted 900 defaced properties, and cleaned 25,000 rain gardens, among efforts to revitalize and refresh public areas in neighborhoods across the five boroughs.

“City Cleanup Corps was created not only as an opportunity to get hard-working New Yorkers back on their feet, but also to fortify our commitment to the City’s neighborhoods and communities,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “With over 50,000 blocks cleaned, thousands of pounds of litter removed, and many other milestones met, City Cleanup Corps members are creating a clear, lasting impact that is being felt by New Yorkers and revitalizing the streets, parks, and public spaces that make our City great.”

“I congratulate the members of the City Cleanup Corps on reaching the milestone of 50,000 blocks hand-swept, among other milestones, as the Corps reaches its six-month anniversary,” said Deputy Mayor for Strategic Policy Initiatives Phil Thompson. “The City Cleanup Corps is fostering an economic recovery by refreshing and revitalizing our city while also providing job opportunities for 10,000 New Yorkers. The Corps will also help build a recovery for all of us by providing transformative career preparation opportunities for Corps members, who are predominantly from communities identified by the Task Force on Racial Inclusion and Equity.”

“City Cleanup Corps members are helping to lead a ground-up economic recovery that prioritizes our communities and public spaces,” said the City’s Senior Advisor for Recovery Lorraine Grillo. “In neighborhoods across the five boroughs—from Flushing and Bay Ridge to Brighton Beach, Pelham Parkway, and beyond—Corps members’ dedicated efforts are ensuring that New York City will recover from the pandemic stronger than ever.”

The New York City Cleanup Corps is revitalizing neighborhoods and public spaces across the five boroughs while creating 10,000 jobs for New York City residents. Jobs with flexible hours and competitive hourly rates are still available. Learn more and apply today at https://nyc.gov/ccc. Follow the City Cleanup Corps on Instagram and Facebook.

In response to Hurricane Ida, City Cleanup Corps members helped New Yorkers across the five boroughs clear debris from their residential properties damaged by the storm.

“The efforts of the City Cleanup Corps have been instrumental in storm cleanup, pandemic recovery and the revitalization of our city,” said Department of Sanitation Commissioner Edward Grayson. “On behalf of the nearly 10,000 NYC Sanitation employees who work hard to pick up 12,000 tons of residential refuse every day, I thank the City Cleanup Corps for their partnership in our shared mission of keeping our city clean and safe for all.”

“We are proud to work with NYC Cleanup Corps as they provide vital maintenance services to Open Streets locations, plazas, and other public spaces,” said Department of Transportation Commissioner Hank Gutman. “Public spaces make our communities vibrant, and we thank NYC Cleanup Corps for keeping them that way with daily maintenance services, horticultural care, and as public space ambassadors.”

“In just six months, the City’s Cleanup Corps have proven to be an invaluable asset as we work towards recovery throughout the five boroughs, and especially in the neighborhoods hardest hit by the pandemic. Parks did its part and hired 3,200 of the 10,000 Cleanup Corps members and it proved to be a worthwhile investment. Over this past summer, they were instrumental in keeping our greenspaces clean and making our parks inviting spaces for New Yorkers and visitors alike to enjoy,” said NYC Parks Commissioner Gabrielle Fialkoff. “As the CCC celebrates this milestone of a hand sweeping 50,000 blocks, allow it to serve as a reminder of what we can achieve when we work together to beautify and preserve the communities we serve.”

“The City Cleanup Corps has been a terrific help in ensuring the City’s drainage infrastructure is operating as efficiently as possible,” said Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Vincent Sapienza. “The Cleanup Corps has helped to clear trash and debris from catch basins and curbside rain gardens across the city. This is an important reminder that all New Yorkers can play a part in making New York a more livable city and support our drainage system by not littering on our streets.”

“DYCD and our funded community-based organizations are proud to be part of the City Cleanup Corps and its efforts to bring New York back from the COVID-19 pandemic and economic downturn. This is truly a win-win: the City’s hardest-hit communities are being beautified one block at a time, and thousands of young people are benefiting from paid work, with an emphasis on high schoolers who need the most support and opportunities. DYCD looks forward to launching the new Work, Learn & Grow Environmental Corps in November, which will provide youth with work readiness, career exploration, and training, with a focus on environmental justice and the City’s ongoing recovery,” said Department of Youth & Community Development Commissioner Bill Chong.

“New Yorkers continue to show their willingness to help their neighbor’s disaster after disaster. This is a testament to the spirit of resiliency and community throughout New York City. Programs like the New York City Cleanup Corps are a great complement to the emergency preparedness plans available to New Yorkers prior, during and after emergencies,” said Emergency Management Commissioner John Scrivani. “The response and outpouring of assistance for the residents impacted by the devastating floods due to Hurricane Ida is just another example of that sense of community.”

“The Cleanup Corps has allowed the Department of Probation and our Neighborhood Opportunity Network (NeON) to pay hundreds of young people to beautify and clean up New York City, giving back to their communities. We applaud our Corps members, who are from some of the neighborhoods hardest hit by Covid-19, for stepping up and being part of the recovery and rebuilding of New York City,” said Department of Probation Commissioner Ana M. Bermúdez Esq.

“The NYPD is a proud government partner in the recovery efforts ongoing across all five boroughs of our city. Our dedicated men and women officers work tirelessly to support city residents in these cleanup efforts that are integral to our common good,” said Police Commissioner Dermot Shea.

“The amazing work of the City Cleanup Corps has played, and continues to play, a critical role in New York City’s recovery efforts,” said the Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment Commissioner Anne del Castillo. “By creating clean spaces, and revitalizing communities hardest hit by the pandemic, we can welcome back locals and visitors alike to once again enjoy everything the greatest city in the world has to offer.”

“The City Cleanup Corps team has been instrumental in helping revitalize the City’s hardest-hit neighborhoods and helping our immigrant communities get back on their feet after Ida,” said Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs Commissioner Raquel Batista. “We congratulate the team on their milestones and encourage New Yorkers to be a part of this initiative and take full advantage of the current job opportunities.”

“We are proud of our CleaNYC and Graffiti Free NYC programs, which employ hardworking men and women and improve our neighborhoods and public spaces. Our continued economic recovery depends on providing New Yorkers with quality jobs, which programs like these create while improving the quality of life for all New Yorkers,” said New York City Economic Development Corporation President and CEO Rachel Loeb.

“NYCHA campuses are interwoven throughout New York City, and the City Cleanup Corps Initiative plays an indispensable role in keeping our public spaces clean,” said NYCHA Chair & CEO Greg Russ. “Today’s milestone is a shining example of the transformations that can come when you engage residents in the sustainability and future of their communities.”

“Through programs like the City Cleanup Corps, this Administration is strategically and creatively finding ways to provide valuable employment opportunities to New Yorkers across the five boroughs – all while giving back to our communities in need,” said HRA Administrator Gary Jenkins. “As we continue to emerge from this unprecedented crisis, DSS-HRA is proud to support this important community-based initiative, which will ensure that New York City’s recovery is rooted in equity and inclusion.”

“The Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice is proud to work with the City Cleanup Corps to not only make New York a more beautiful place to live, work, and play but also to provide hundreds of much-needed jobs across the City,” said Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice Director Marcos Soler.

“Congratulations to the City Cleanup Corps on their impressive milestone of hand-sweeping over 50,000 blocks across the city in only six months,” said State Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr. “I would like to personally thank this amazing group for helping to clean the Addabbo Memorial Bridge and the surrounding area. Since the maintenance and condition of this area in my district became the main concern for my constituents, having the City Cleanup Corps there cleaning the bridge and adjacent areas has been a great improvement for the community. I wish them continued success in the future.”

“In its first six months, the City Cleanup Corps has already done wonderful work revitalizing New York City’s public spaces and neighborhoods, beautifying parks and green spaces, and helping many recover from the devastation of Hurricane Ida,” said State Senator Brad Hoylman. “I appreciate the Mayor’s Office’s efforts to beautify our city and improve our quality of life, and look forward to the Corps sweeping up another 50,000 city blocks in the coming months.”

“Since its inception, the City Cleanup Corps has hired thousands of New Yorkers to revitalize public spaces and parks throughout the five boroughs. As a member of the community and an elected official, I commend the City Cleanup Corps program for the wonderful and hard work that they have accomplished for the betterment of our community,” said State Assembly Member Jaime Williams. “At a time when our city was most in need, this program was instrumental in assisting in cleanups throughout the city after several natural disasters. It warms my heart to know that this program not only addresses the issues of quality of life in our communities but also inspires those who are a part of the program”

“I am very thankful to the City Clean Up Corps and the Department of Sanitation for the fantastic work they did cleaning up my district,” said NYC Council Finance Chair Daniel Dromm. “Jackson Heights and Elmhurst look a heck of lot better. There is still a lot of work to be done but the work the City Clean Up Corps is doing is vital to the recovery of the city and its communities especially after Hurricane Ida. Now it’s up to us to keep our neighborhoods clean. Let’s do it!”

“I want to thank the members of the City Cleanup Corps for all the work they did, especially in Bay Ridge and Dyker Heights. Their relentless work was evident and greatly appreciated. It is so important to remember that keeping our communities safe and clean is the foundation for everything else,” said NYC Council Member Justin Brannan.

“Supplemental sanitation services like the City Cleanup Corps is just one way the city can address recurring quality of life issues like trash buildup and graffiti removal encountered in neighborhoods throughout the city. We have used the Cleanup Corps on 40th Road in Flushing and elsewhere in my district, and I look forward to continuing to take advantage of this useful cleanup service,” said NYC Council Member Peter Koo.

“I am proud to join the Mayor in celebrating the investments we’ve made into our communities so that we can move forward in addressing the challenges facing our city. The City Cleanup Corps is emblematic of our efforts to achieve the equitable revitalization and recovery we deserve,” said NYC Council Member Carlina Rivera. “Not only has the Corps been invaluable in making New York City a safer, cleaner, and greener place to live, work, and thrive, but it has created thousands of jobs to help New Yorkers across the five boroughs return to work. I am so grateful to the Corps members for their work in keeping our communities beautiful and vibrant, and look forward to finding ways to continue this initiative in current or new iterations.”

“The Doe Fund is proud to partner with the City Cleanup Corps, an ambitious initiative providing real economic opportunity to formerly homeless and low-income New Yorkers while helping our city make a sweeping recovery. We are ready, willing & able to support this effort—one block at a time,” said Isabel McDevitt, Executive Vice President of The Doe Fund.

“Clean Up Corps consists of a strong network of nonprofit providers and City agencies focused on New York City’s equitable and sustainable recovery. We are honored to serve as a Clean Up Corps partner to improve quality of life and environmental resiliency in some of the City’s most impacted neighborhoods while preparing New Yorkers for future green careers,” said Jennifer Mitchell, Executive Director of The HOPE Program.

“Open Streets and Public Plazas are part of the great outdoors for New York City residents. The Hort is pleased to help keep them green and clean through the City Cleanup Corps in partnership with the NYC Department of Transportation,” said Sara Hobel, Executive Director of The Horticultural Society of New York. “The public and the Corps members themselves enjoy the relief of safe, well-managed streetscapes.”

“In Jamaica Bay and Rockaway parks, City Cleanup Corps members are hard at work removing graffiti, painting benches and fences, removing trash and weeds from our parks, and beautifying spaces millions of New Yorkers enjoy annually. Throughout these parks, Corps members are working to lift their communities up and revitalize public spaces, leading our city’s recovery forward. Many thanks to Mayor de Blasio and partners, and of course Corps members that work with the Conservancy each day, revitalizing these important public spaces,” said Alex Zablocki, Executive Director of the Jamaica Bay-Rockaway Parks Conservancy.

“Jewish Community Council of Greater Coney Island (JCCGCI) has been honored to serve as a provider under the Mayor’s City Cleanup Corps initiative. Thanks to this visionary opportunity, we have established over one hundred (100) worksites throughout the five boroughs and served as a catalyst for transformative benefit to both the institutions, businesses and communities which benefit from cleanup and beautification activities as well as to the participating interns who are being offered a dignified path out of poverty with hope for a brighter future,” said Rabbi Moshe Wiener, Executive Director of the Jewish Community Council of Greater Coney Island (JCCGCI). “An important component of pandemic recovery, this initiative is serving as a shining example of progressive human service intervention. JCCGCI joins our worksite partners and proud interns to applaud Mayor de Blasio for yet another impactful initiative and also thank DSS Commissioner Steve Banks and HRA Administrator Gary Jenkins for hosting this program and providing invaluable guidance and support.”

“As New Yorkers, watching the pandemic try to dismantle our beloved city was exceptionally painful. We feel incredibly fortunate to be a small part of bringing NYC back to what we all remember 18 long months ago,” said Brandon Englholm, Principal at Klen Space. “Through the Mayors City Cleanup Corps initiative, we have been able to help communities that have been hit hard during this time by not only cleaning up their neighborhoods and making them beautiful again but by being able to hire great people within those communities. We are so proud of our team and all the other people involved in the recovery of New York City.”

“Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, we’ve seen how vital our city’s open spaces are to New Yorkers,” said Clare Newman, President, and CEO of the Trust for Governors Island. “We’re proud that our City Cleanup Corps team is helping to make Governors Island welcoming and accessible while kick-starting our first year of being open to the public year-round.”

“Urban Upbound is proud to participate in the City Cleanup Corps. This initiative is making a positive impact in Queensbridge, one of the communities most affected by the pandemic,” said Bishop Mitchell Taylor, CEO and Co-Founder of Urban Upbound. “Neighbors greatly appreciate the efforts of the residents hired to clean and beautify the area. At Urban Upbound we believe in giving a hand up and not a handout and we’ll continue supporting our communities to break the cycles of generational poverty, inequity, and structural discrimination”