In the first week of September, Academy of Hope (AoH) hosted “Adopt a Block” cleanups.
“Adopt a Block” is an initiative of the Mayor’s Office of the Clean City DC in hopes of involving all residents of the capital to work together to create a #TrashFreeDC. Organizations can adopt a minimum of two blocks in a residential area, and promise to host cleanups four days a year for two years.
With the help of learners, volunteers and staff, each ward picked up trash on their respective blocks (18th Place NE and Adams Street NE at Ward 5; 5th Street SE and Alabama Avenue at Ward 8) to help make our neighborhood a cleaner, safer, more beautiful space for our AoH family. Signs were installed on each block, commemorating our commitment to a healthier city.
“The goal was for us to create a day of hope where we brought both campuses together and engaged in a day of service,” Ward 8 Assistant Principal Dr. Larry Canady told ABC Channel 7 News.
The cleanup ended with a lively community celebration featuring a cookout, raffle prizes, and live music—bringing our AoH family together to mark both the start of the fall school session and our continued dedication to service.
Beyond beautifying our neighborhoods, the event offered another chance to highlight AoH’s impact. Leadership encouraged learners and volunteers to share their stories with the DC Public Charter School Board as we continue to advocate for raising our enrollment ceiling to serve more than 1,000 learners in the coming years.
Together, we are building not only a #TrashFreeDC. A stronger, more connected community of hope that provides access to economic mobility and a better quality of life.