Extreme Block Makeover

The Extreme Block Makeover was a wonderful success! On April 16th, 2005, an average city street in Bridgeport was transformed by a young girl’s wish, a Leadership Greater Bridgeport Team, and Groundwork.

The makeover began as a group project of the Leadership Greater Bridgeport XVI Class.  This team, comprised of Christine Winn, Wylie Smith, Alvin O’Neal, and Jessica Kolbusz, wanted to involve youth with a community cleanup event.  They organized an essay contest held at the Cardinal Shehan Center.  Eight and nine year olds were asked, “Why do you love your neighborhood, and how would you improve it?”  Nine-year-old Maria Mones won with her essay on how ‘Planting Flowers and Trees on My Street Would Make It Look Prettier.’

Maria got her wish. Over two hundred volunteers planted seven large, flowering trees and hundreds of bright annuals and blossoming perennials which now line Catherine Street.  Many of the flowers were planted in recycled oil drums decorated by the Music and Arts Center for Humanity, Shehan Center kids, and Fairfield Preparatory School students.  Groundwork Bridgeport took charge of the project by supplying the trees, flowers and tools, organizing volunteers, and coordinating site preparation and clean-up.

Mayor John Fabrizi stopped by to help in the morning and to award certificates to the essay contest winner and runner up.  Following the morning work, the participants built community through a wonderful cookout.  The entire project was incorporated into Groundwork’s successful annual Spring Park City Sweep.

Students receiving awards from the Mayor.