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This group of retirees found community — by cleaning up the San Fernando Valley
(From L to R) Volunteers Cleaning Communities members Christine Kesilis, Mark Murphy, Danny Sinclair and Claudine Singer pose for a picture while cleaning up an area of Northridge.
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A group of retirees found community while cleaning up San Fernando Valley
Most people don’t have picking up trash as part of their retirement plan, but for these seniors in the San Fernando Valley it's how they build new friendships and community.
They’re part of Volunteers Cleaning Communities. You’ve probably seen them around in the SFV wearing vests emblazoned with the VCC logos as they go about cleaning up the Valley almost every morning, including the weekends.
Mark Murphy and Claudine Singer carry a bed frame that was illegally dumped in a parking lot onto the sidewalk so the city can have easier access when they pick it up.
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Walking with a purpose
The group started five years ago during the COVID lockdown when founder and president Jill Mather needed some exercise and started walking.
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“I didn’t like just walking without a purpose, so I started taking a bag along with me to pick up the trash that I found along the way,” she said.
That’s when she noticed the issue was bigger than what she alone could handle. She posted on social media inviting others to join her.
Four members of the Volunteers Cleaning Communities gather around a trash can to consolidate trash and separate out their recycling.
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The first unofficial Volunteers Cleaning Communities gathering had 12 strangers join Mather on her journey.
They separated into groups and cleaned for two hours in different directions.
“We went to coffee afterwards just out of a fluke,” Mather said. That first outing set the tone for what every cleaning expedition since.
The best thing is the friendships
Danny Sinclair is one of the longest serving volunteers. He’s spent four-and-a-half years with VCC and fills in as lead, assigning routes and handing out supplies in Mather’s absence.
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Sinclair had just moved from Florida and was living with his son when he saw a post about the group online. Being new in town he wanted to get out and meet people.
VCC member Danny Sinclair looks at oncoming traffic as he goes out to pick some litter up off the street.
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“So I started doing this. Now I’ve got all new family, friends, everything,” said Sinclair, who volunteers five days a week. “The best thing is the friendships. Everybody’s the same, they feel it’s important that we pick up the trash for environmental purposes.”
A real impact
The group does more than just pick up everyday litter. They notify 311 about illegal dumping on the sidewalk, report graffiti for removal and tear down signs from street posts.
VCC member Jeff Diamond poses for a picture at the end of clean-up. He's known amongst the group for his ability to get "311" to respond swiftly to illegal dumping.
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“I just feel like I’m getting something done, making a difference,” said volunteer Christine Kesilis.
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She came to the group about two years ago when she was volunteering at Santa Susana State Historical Park learning how to assist with guided hikes. VCC was part of a crew cleaning up there, one of the many community beautification outings the group does regularly.
“I met them during the cleanup and then I joined them afterwards. I do them more than I go to the park now,” Kesilis said.
VCC volunteer Christine Kesilis uses her trash grabber to try and take down tape that's been wrapped around a crosswalk pole.
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A little effort is no waste
Over their five years of growth the group has drawn the attention of local officials for their commitment.
“My councilman calls it his beloved VCC,” Mather said.
That would be Councilmember John Lee, who represents the 12th District in Los Angeles, and used to meet with Mather monthly for updates.
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“I’m very proud of what they’ve grown into,” Lee said. “Not only are they cleaning up our communities, they are an example to the rest of the people who live here about how a little effort can make such a big, big difference.”
His office awarded $10,000 to VCC for clean-up supplies in June.
Claudine Singer of Volunteers Cleaning Communities stands next to an abandoned cart she plans to return. Her fellow volunteers pick up trash in the background.
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Dañiel Martinez
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And it just keeps growing
“What once started with just a handful of people has grown to…I don’t even know how big the numbers are,” Lee said.
But Mather knows — she keeps meticulous track of the group's developments. Their newsletter reaches more than 3,000 people and Mather regularly talks to students about their efforts
“In my core group, we have 200 rotating people that will show up over a week for different activities,” Mather said.
Members of the Volunteers Cleaning Communities gather around a table the Starbucks on Nordhoff Street after their cleaning session as they do after every clean-up.
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Dañiel Martinez
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LAist
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But she says a big part of the work is getting more people involved.
“We’ve picked over 650,000 pounds of trash,” Mather said. That’s more than 45,000 bags.
She wants more people to show up and they’ll provide the rest: a grabber, a vest, gloves, bags, and of course, a beloved sense of community.
How to volunteer
Volunteers Cleaning Communities is in the San Fernando Valley several times a week between 8 and 10 a.m.
Find dates and locations here and just show up. Gear is provided.
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But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
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