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.
3 Responses
I truly enjoyed the Fulton park clean up in Waterbury with Asez Wao. As a Waterbury native, I was thrilled to participate in this event. As many times as I’ve strolled this park to get fresh air or bring my daughter to enjoy its park area, my heart was delighted to beautify it for my fellow community members. Everyone was so happy cleaning up trash, who knew this kind of event could be so much fun! I encourage you to connect with Asez Wao for positive volunteer experiences that will change your outlook on volunteering. I’m looking forward to working with Asez Wao for the next clean up.
I am very fond of Fulton Park. Growing up in Waterbury, my parents and grandparents would take my sisters and I to this park. We would swim, play, have pizza and laugh for hours. As a teenager I would come to Fulton after my college classes. Once a week, I would take the bus from downtown, stop at Fulton for a nice walk, pick up a pizza for my sisters and walk the rest of the way home.
Now as an adult, I take my niece to this park, so that she can swim, play, have pizza and laugh for hours. When I see her enjoying time in a safe and clean outdoor space, I am thankful for those who have maintained this park for all of these years until now. I’m happy to have been able to contribute to the joy of others through cleaning this park, just like how others have contributed to mine for so many years.
When our church gathered together to clean Fulton last spring, I was so thankful to God to be able give back to my community in such a meaningful way.
God the Father and God the Mother are what make The World Mission Society Church of God such an excellent example in society. I am so happy to be apart of this church and to have made time to join in the cleanup this day.
Great job, everyone! And thank you!
Reply
Everyone looks so happy! I’m truly thankful to Asez and the Church for making efforts to make a positive change.