May 6, 2021 -- Global Youth Service Day is the largest service event in the world dedicated to children and youth. Cleveland Heights students from Oxford Elementary, GearUP 2 New Heights, New Heights Credit Recovery, Oxford HUB (awarded the Nita M. Lowey 21st Century grant), and College Now Americorps met on Saturday, April 24, 2021, to embellish and enhance the outdoor spaces at Oxford Elementary School and Sunbeam Elementary School (CMSD). There were a total of 40 volunteers which included Heights High School students, Oxford Hub staff member Erin Hill, Oxford Head Custodian David Moss, Oxford Principal Jacquelyn Taylor, New Heights On-Site Coordinator Steve Walker, and Gear Up 2 New Heights Director Carmen Daniel.
During the Global Youth Service Day, students beautified Oxford and Sunbeam Elementary School by tidying up their outdoor areas, raking, pulling weeds, removing shrubs, laying mulch, picking up trash, and adding new soil in preparation for future flower gardens. The goal was to create spaces where students and families feel welcomed, a sense of pride, and increased morale upon stepping foot onto the school grounds. All participating volunteers enjoyed giving back to the community and seeing the fruits of their labor. 