Et cetera : AmeriCorps NCCC"�s Maple 2 Helps with Blight Elimination in Flint, Michigan

By Kaitlyn Blentlinger, AmeriCorps NCCC Member

AmeriCorps NCCC team Maple 2 is already half-way through their second round project in Flint Michigan, the team is really starting to see the impact of their work.

Maple 2 has been serving in the Blight division for the city of Flint. Blight, which is a word used to describe abandoned houses and lots, is a large problem in the community and the team is excited to be assisting in eradication. Maple 2 spends their days boarding up abandoned houses, mowing lawns, trimming back overgrowth, and removing trash and other debris from the area. As of this point in their project, Maple 2 has boarded up 80 houses, cleared seven tons of trash and debris, and mowed approximately 90 lawns.

"It's been great serving with the city of Flint! We've been able to see firsthand how much the citizens of the community appreciate what we are doing here. It really puts into perspective how important this is,"� says member James from Massachusetts.

The City of Flint's Blight Elimination Division, a division of Planning and Development, exists to address the Blight challenge faced by the City of Flint. The city's five year plan known as "�Imagine Flint' is the city's Master Plan. The plan includes neighborhood stabilization, future growth, and revitalization efforts towards becoming a green and healthy 21st Century Sustainable Community. The residents of Flint have repeatedly identified blight as a priority concern of theirs. In order to eliminate blight in Flint it will take 71,000 tons of garbage removal, 5,000 vacant structures to be boarded, 20,000 lawns mowed annually, and many other tasks. It's estimated to be five years until blight is eliminated from Flint.

Outside of their project, Maple 2 have been taking the time to explore the community of Flint. The Flint Farmers Market, Applewood Estates, and Flint's wonderful Downtown area are some of the favorites among the team. Having the opportunity to go out and see all of the great thing the community has to offer reminds the team of the importance of their service.