On Friday, April 22nd, the City of Philadelphia held a pep rally to celebrate the men and women behind the city’s Taking Care of Business (TCB) program, which helps ensure Philadelphia’s neighborhoods are kept clean.
There are 200 Corridor Cleaning Ambassadors employed by neighborhood-based organizations and nonprofits with funding from the Philadelphia Department of Commerce. These workers serve their communities tirelessly, in small teams assigned to different commercial areas throughout the city. They are responsible for keeping areas clean of trash and litter; maintaining foliage in public areas; reporting and following up on instances of graffiti, vandalism, and short-dumping; and more. Most importantly, they are the first points of contact for support to neighborhood residents and business owners, providing connection to local nonprofits and community services, and generally boosting neighborhood morale. In 2021, as reported by the local consulting firm Econsult Solutions, 170,258 bags of trash were collected by TCB personnel across the city – the equivalent of 14,188 dumpsters.
The celebration to recognize and honor these vital community service professionals was held outdoors on a beautiful sunny day at the Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation Center on Cecil B. Moore Ave. Mistress of Ceremonies Terrine Datts from the Department of Commerce introduced speakers including Mayor Jim Kenney, Streets Commissioner Carlton Williams, and Councilmembers Cherelle Parker, Jamie Gauthier and Isaiah Thomas. Awards were given to Corridor Ambassador crews in gratitude for their dedication to the well-being of their neighborhoods, and their collective service to all the city’s residents. These dedicated workers all make at least $15 per hour, and have opportunities for professional development, training, and advancement – such as the OSHA-10 workplace safety training completed by 142 of all Corridor Ambassadors.
Cleanliness of commercial corridors has many well-documented benefits – streets with less trash see greater economic activity as people feel more comfortable to shop and dine in cleaner conditions; less trash translates to less rodents and pests that pose a health and safety hazard to community residents; and clean environments help build community pride and social cohesion. When the physical environment is attractive, people are more willing to come outside to get to know their neighbors, get exercise and fresh air, and build a strong community fabric. In light of these benefits, Philadelphia’s leadership has invested in expanding the program to more neighborhoods.
Esperanza’s own Ambassador team was present, and two staff members – Roberto Rodriguez, Commercial Corridor Manager, and Edwin Garcia, Corridor Ambassador – gave remarks from the podium. As Edwin stated at the gathering, “I’m glad we are connected and united in taking care of our city together.”
Photo gallery
