On Tuesday, April 22 ,(Earth Day) and Saturday June 14, (Republic Services Waste Management, large pick-up item day) nonprofit organizations Rising Communities and The Crenshaw Organization in partnership with Clean California will host “West Athens Clean-Up Day.”
April 22 clean-up day will take place near 105th and Normandie Streets, which is where West Athens Victory Garden is located. The June 14 clean-up will be held on the corner of Normandie and Manchester Blvd.
Keith Crenshaw, founder of The Crenshaw Organization, is very passionate about keeping his community clean. Crenshaw is an L.A. County native, who was born in Baldwin Village and moved to the Pasadena/Altadena area a few years later. He is now a West Athens resident of four years and is adamant about maintaining a clean community. A little over two years ago, he began attending Rising Communities’ meetings.
“We all see the litter, trash, and sometimes feces on the ground so last August was our first clean-up day,” he shared.
“We partnered with Clean California. We targeted some areas in the community and cleaned up West Athens. That’s how the Rising Communities partnership started and it’s because of Rising Communities [that] the other partnership sprung off.”
About 15 years ago, Crenshaw experienced chronic homelessness. He stated that by the grace of God and organizations here in Los Angeles, he was able to climb out of homelessness. He partnered with nonprofit Union Station Homeless Services, which is located in Pasadena and whose mission is to combat homelessness by providing housing solutions, supportive services, and community connections. He went from being homeless to a homeless advocate.
“I’ve been with this organization and that’s what encouraged me to start my own organization to address the specific needs within the African American community and abroad,” he explained. “Since I went through it, and who I am, the last name, and all the above is why I started The Crenshaw Organization.”
Aside from partnering with the amazing Union Station Homeless Services and Rising Communities, he has also worked with United Way, The People’s Concern, Everybody In, and NAEH.org.
The Crenshaw Organization is actively engaged in direct advocacy and operations and does not receive government funding. Crenshaw’s mission is to promote a litter-free environment and a healthier community.
“Litter has a psychological effect on us,” he stressed. “That’s why I’m using my own blood, sweat, and tears to help and do something about it.”
For those who want to get involved, Crenshaw encourages everyone to “just show up.” Another volunteer opportunity will be on Saturday, April 5, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. He is partnering with the American Red Cross at the Crenshaw Christian Center to provide free smoke alarm installations for the community of Athens. On Saturday, June 7, from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m., a Spring Wellness Resource Fair will also take place at Sunnyside Baptist Church, 9317 Budlong St. in Los Angeles.
Crenshaw told the Sentinel that last year’s clean up event was “amazing.”
“We had everything,” he recalled. “I’m a musician and former DJ so I was bumping some nice jazz. Even the sheriff was out there. The community showed up. We had food trucks and all that.”
For more information on The Crenshaw Organization, visit https://thecrenshaw.org/
For more information on Rising Communities, visit https://risingcommunities.org/
