UAB students go “Into the Streets” to help build up their community
UAB students take it "Into the Streets" to help clean up their communities. (Sarah Reid Harris/Alabama NewsCenter)
University of Alabama at Birmingham students took full advantage of the opportunity to “Spring into Service” this past weekend.
Each semester, the UAB Leadership and Service Council hosts “Into the Streets,” a signature event for students, faculty and administrators to aid community service projects.
This semester’s event attracted more than 200 students who arrived at the Campus Recreation Center March 5 ready to disperse across Birmingham and make a difference for their community. There were 17 sites designated as areas of need, including Red Mountain Park, Habitat for Humanity, Salvation Army and the Botanical Gardens.
Hundreds of students participated in this year’s coordinated events to make a difference in their communities. (Sarah Reid Harris/Alabama NewsCenter)
“The real importance of Into the Streets lies in the fact that it highlights the students as leaders at the forefront of helping UAB accomplish its mission to encourage partnerships that improve education, health, economic prosperity and quality of life through service at home and around the globe,” said David Dada, UAB coordinator of civic engagement.
Renew Our Rivers, in partnership with Village Creek Society and the town of Mulga, participated for the first time in this special day of service. Renew Our Rivers is one of the Southeast’s largest river cleanup campaigns, collecting more than 14 million pounds of trash and debris since the program’s inception in 2000. More than 70 UAB students and volunteers from Mulga joined the Village Creek cleanup.
“I think it was an amazing experience seeing the community, local agencies and University of Alabama at Birmingham coming together and working on this initiative,” said Sean Ryan, UAB coordinator for leadership programming. “As we were driving to city hall, everyone was shocked with the amount of trash but, leaving, all the students were extremely proud of their work they had accomplished. Knowing we could positively impact the surrounding community has no greater rewards, even if the folks may not know who helped them.”
Volunteers covered 4.5 miles along roadways along the Village Creek Watershed, collecting 3.26 tons of trash.
Yohance Owens, executive director at Village Creek Human and Environmental Justice Society, coordinated with community leaders and led the successful event.
“The community spirit was shown on March 5 because Minor and Mulga residents jumped in with service and a smile to each and every UAB student volunteer,” said Owens. “My motto is ‘One of the great aspects of our society is community service.’”
This cleanup was coordinated by Village Creek Society, Renew Our Rivers, town of Mulga, community of Minor, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department, Storm Water Birmingham, Storm Water Jefferson County, Birmingham Fire Department and Alabama Power.
To learn more, go to Renew Our Rivers.
