Liberian Cultural Association wins New York 'Love Your Block' award

Liberian Cultural Association

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- The Liberian Cultural Association of Clifton was one of 25 groups throughout the five boroughs -- and the only one on Staten Island -- to win the city's "Love Your Block" award.
The "Love Your Block" initiative, which is in its ninth year, helps provide an opportunity for resident-led volunteer neighborhood groups to transform and improve their communities through local action with the help of city services. The award is presented by Mayor Bill de Blasio and NYC Service and Citizens Committee for New York City.
"When we come together to beautify our neighborhoods, we build a fairer and more just city that is stronger than it was yesterday," de Blasio said.
The Liberian Cultural Association and the 24 other winners each received a $1,000 cash grant, project planning assistance and city services to beautify and transform a public space.
"Love Your Block grants give community groups the boost they need to make a real difference beautifying their communities, and I'm thrilled that the Liberian Cultural Association has been selected as the recipient," said Councilwoman Debi Rose (D-North Shore).
Rose said the money will be used to clean the streets and sidewalks of a 1.5-square-mile area of Clifton.
"I congratulate the members on securing this grant, and I thank them for their efforts to improve the health and quality of life of this neighborhood."
The city Parks Department, Department of Transportation, Sanitation Department and Department of Environmental Protection will provide assistance to the winners.
Services include trash collection; vacant lot cleanup; graffiti removal; dead tree removal; tree stewardship workshops; resident surveys to plant new trees;  woodchip mulching for gardening projects; repairing and installing street signs and lights; traffic safety surveys, and installing bicycle racks and speed bumps.