Keep America Beautiful awards graffiti prevention grants
Stamford, Conn.-based Keep America Beautiful, Inc. has announced the winners of the 2010 Graffiti Hurts Grant Program. The annual program, established in 2007, provides funding for proposed grassroots programs that combat graffiti vandalism.
This year’s winners, each receiving $2,500, are:
• The San Rafael, Calif., Volunteer Program, which aims to engage citizens, neighborhood associations, businesses and other groups to reduce graffiti vandalism. A volunteer graffiti corps will complement the city’s police and public works staff with eradication, ordinance enforcement and education for young people about the consequences of vandalism. The program team will strive for timely abatement, neighborhood watch programs, and adopt-a-spot type programs.
• United Neighborhood Centers of NEPA in Scranton, Pa., which plans to eliminate all graffiti in South Scranton by organizing a “Paint Out” event in fall 2010, educating local youth through their participation in the event, and launching a community forum program to promote safe and clean neighborhoods.
• The Volunteer Centers of Santa Cruz County, Calif., which will focus on quick response and abatement of graffiti vandalism. The goal is to respond within 24 hours on working days and within 48 hours on weekends. Members of the community and county staff will use the center’s 24-hour graffiti hotline to report graffiti vandalism, and trained volunteers will paint out the graffiti for property owners.
Graffiti Hurts was developed in 1996 to respond to the blight of graffiti vandalism in communities nationwide. “The winning entries for this year’s Graffiti Hurts National Grants are inspiring reminders of the power of community action to overcome local challenges,” said Matthew McKenna, president and CEO of Keep America Beautiful, Inc.
Read more information on the Graffiti Hurts Grant Program.