On Sunday, May 5, 2024, 68 volunteers from ASEZ, the World Mission Society Church of God’s global university student volunteer group, conducted a cleanup at Fulton Park in Waterbury, Connecticut. Working in partnership with the Waterbury Police Department, the volunteers removed 42 pounds of debris. They collected single-use plastics, bottles, and containers. This effort reflected ASEZ’s efforts to fulfill the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Specifically, the cleanup highlighted SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.
Volunteers started working at 9:30 in the morning, assembling into designated teams before going out to clean the park. With their gloves and trash pickers, they focused on cleaning up targeted areas of the park in unity.
ASEZ volunteers often organize events to promote and accomplish the 17 SDGs. As an international university volunteer group, ASEZ aims to create a global impact with each outing. The May 5 cleanup specifically targeted SDG 11, Sustainable Cities and Communities, by contributing to the goal of enhancing safety and resilience in the City of Waterbury.
The cleanup is part of a social service initiative that university students are carrying out all around the world to Save the Earth from A to Z, which is what the acronym ASEZ stands for. Students from the surrounding local universities, united in serving the community of Waterbury. They accomplished this by cleaning up waste from the park, creating a more sustainable environment for all.
ASEZ Student Volunteers Joined Together to Create a Cleaner Community
Lewis E. Fulton Memorial Park (Fulton Park) is the “Central Park” of Waterbury, Connecticut and the region. Located in the center of Waterbury, this 70-acre treasure was designed by the Olmsted Brothers. The Olmsted Brothers are the successor landscape architecture firm to Frederick Law Olmsted, renowned designer of New York City’s Central Park and recognized “Father of American Landscape Architecture.”
Today, the park is a local gem. It contains a beautiful terrain with an abundance of native Connecticut trees, meadows, ponds and streams. The woodland is filled with old stone walls, hiking paths, rubble-stone arts, crafts buildings, lush gardens, and recreational facilities. Fulton Park is a true oasis from urban life.
Community Officer Jimmy Tapia spoke words of encouragement before the volunteers started cleaning. He was deeply impressed by the dedication of the young adult volunteers.
“I believe this will inspire many other young people to recognize the importance of a cleaner environment,” he remarked. “Your (ASEZ) purpose and intention are making us better here in Waterbury.”
Afterward, he signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) in support of ASEZ on behalf of the Waterbury Police Department.
“As a university student, I believe it’s my duty to contribute to a safer planet, not just for my generation but for those to come. I hope that initiatives like these will inspire other young adults to support their communities,” said Sebastian Dominguez, an ASEZ volunteer and student at Central Connecticut State University.
Recognition From the Mayor for Their Efforts
On behalf of Mayor Paul K. Pernerewski Jr., his Chief of Staff, Joe Geary, attended the cleanup. He shared words of encouragement and gratitude to the volunteers after the cleanup concluded, commending them for their work. In support of their efforts, Mr. Geary invited the volunteers to visit the mayor’s office just a couple weeks later.
During the follow-up meeting, Mayor Pernerewski Jr. awarded ASEZ with a proclamation for the Fulton Park volunteer service they completed. Moreover, ASEZ volunteers shared more about the organization through a presentation and discussed future collaborations. The mayor was thrilled with ASEZ’s work. Furthermore, he expressed interest in partnering to continue making a positive impact through cleanups and other initiatives.
