buildOn New York Members Do Service in Harding Park With Assemblyman Marcos Crespo’s Office

How many people get to say they did community service with Assemblyman Marcos Crespo? Our buildOn New York members can. buildOn students from Collegiate Preparatory Academy at Longwood Youth Engagement Zone summer program partnered with Assemblyman Crespo’s office, and participated in a service project in the Bronx’s Harding Park (“little Puerto Rico”).

Members met the people living in the area, learned about the rich history of the community during a tour, and then participated in a waterfront cleanup. buildOn students helped collect ten bags of trash and removed a car bumper, tire and bathroom sink from the river!

During the service project many of the local residents stopped by to express their gratitude and appreciation for having the students help clean their local park. “It felt really great to clean up a park that was not in a neighborhood, and show people that young people can make a positive impact in their communities through service,” said Ashley Grafals, a senior at the academy.