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Dozens of Catholic students clear and ‘green’ city properties
Special to the Vindicator
Photo
Monica Mattiussi, 15, of Austintown, and Kristina Aiad-Toss, 15, of Poland, spread hay after seeding a vacant lot on East Lucius Avenue. The two were volunteering for Project Grow with other students from the Catholic Diocese of Youngstown on Saturday.
YOUNGSTOWN
Students from high schools throughout the Catholic Diocese of Youngstown converged on the city’s South and East sides to spend their Saturday hauling soil, spreading grass seed and building garden beds.
About 80 high school students and 20 adult volunteers participated in Project Grow and worked to improve vacant lots near St. Dominic Church at 77 E. Lucius Ave. and Immaculate Conception-Sacred Heart Parish at 400 Lincoln Park Drive.
“A lot of planning went into this, and that built the anticipation,” said George Garchar, diocese associate director of social action. Garchar also is board president of the Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corp.
He said Project Grow has several goals: to improve neighborhood landscapes, to help the parish make links to the neighborhood and to allow the students to serve and live their faith in their community.
Efforts on Lucius Avenue were focused on cleaning debris and seeding vacant lots, while volunteers on Lincoln Park Drive worked to build a raised garden bed.
A group of female students from Cardinal Mooney High School relaxed in the shade of St. Dom’s garden after finishing work on Lucius Avenue. They said they felt it was important to serve.
“We live here, and we see it. We know the area needs help, and we’re not usually able to directly help them. This is our chance to do that,” said Precious Kato, 15, of Poland
Sophia Grillis, 15, of Coitsville, described what it was like to volunteer on city streets that many think are dangerous.
“You hear things and think it’s scary, but once you get here and are out with your friends, it’s not bad at all. You see it’s just a stereotype,” she said.
Clayton Trainer of North Canton also said that perceptions change once people are actually working in the area.
“Not to be judgmental, but when people think of Youngstown they have this preconceived notion that after industry left, it’s a dead wasteland. It’s not true. [Project Grow] really shows that the community cares,” he said.
The Rev. Edward Brienz, diocese director of propagation of the faith and missions office, coordinated Project Grow with the two parishes, YNDC, Catholic Charities, Mahoning County Office of Litter Control, Youngstown Cursillo Movement, Tabernacle Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Youngstown Christian School and Community Corrections Association.
Project Grow was funded by grants from the Catholic Extension Society and the Raymond John Wean Foundation.