Cheron McAleece: Clean Streets Hero
Cheron McAleece was recently recognized as a Clean Streets Hero for her outstanding contributions to cleaning up her neighborhood streets where she has worked with the East Hollywood Neighborhood Council to organize over 18 neighborhood cleanups all over East Hollywood. Cheron is truly a Clean Streets Hero for her many years of volunteerism and commitment to neighborhood cleanups in Hollywood where she has engaged many community members in civic matters, community development, and connected to municipal services that can address local needs. She decided to start her remarkable work after she noticed used furniture was continuously being dumped on the street. She led her first cleanup in November 2013 and has been organizing monthly neighborhood cleanups ever since. She has been quite the community activist, fostering collaborative partnerships with Councilmember Mitch O’Farrell, the Department of Public Works, community organizations, and volunteers to name a few. Cheron has activated herself and now drives around looking for places that need to be cleaned, and makes herself available to her neighbors to receive problem locations that require her neighborhood leadership skills.
Earlier this year, Mayor Eric Garcetti launched the Clean Streets Initiative to help bring resources to neighborhoods to clean up streets and alleys around Los Angeles. Neighborhood Councils are a significant partner in this effort because many have for many years supported and funded community cleanup events in their neighborhoods, and now they have appointed Public Works Liaisons to solidify a partnership with the Department of Public Works. Anyone can get involved and be a part of the force that improves people’s quality of life. Cheron shares that Neighborhood Councils are an integral part of connecting stakeholders to resources and she also shares that she holds her volunteers in high regard because they are the ones that make her cleanups a success. Cheron has also volunteered to be a Public Works Liaison for her community which serves as a partner with the Board of Public Works to address issues impacting Los Angeles neighborhoods. But one doesn’t need to get a title to do their part, just being aware and getting involved can make a tremendous difference in improving the quality of the community.
Angelenos’ quality of life, economic prosperity, and health are all tied to the cleanliness of our streets, sidewalks, alleys, and other public spaces. All Cheron wanted was for her neighborhood to be clean and safe, so she sought out her Neighborhood Council who in turn helped her get connected with people and resources to improve her neighborhood, build community, and inform her neighbors. And for this we thank Cheron McAleece for being an outstanding Clean Streets Hero.
For more information about getting involved with your Neighborhood Council please visit www.empowerla.org.
About the Authors:
Abigail Soto is an intern with the Department of Neighborhood Empowerment. She is a third year at UCLA, studying Sociology, with a possible minor in Civic Engagement. She is from Sun Valley with a mission to to be able to go back and help her community.
Qing Han (Candice) is an intern with the Department of Neighborhood Empowerment. She is an international student studying Economics at UCLA. She is from Northeast China and hopes to help empower LA while she is here studying.