Aroha for the Streets arrives in town
Street clean-up scheme launched
Aroha for the Streets has come down to Horowhenua. Its founder Jay, or JJ as he is known online, started the movement in November of last year while living in Auckland out of love for the people who must live on the streets.
“I started looking after the homeless, provide food parcels for families and just by being a mate to people in trouble,” he said.
He arrived in Levin only seven weeks ago and immediately saw a need. He found rubbish at local parks, and to his dismay, even needles.
So he organised a clean-up via social media and had a fantastic response.
“We cleaned up Adventure Park last week, provided people with gloves, rubbish, bags, bins and eneded the job with a barbecue.
“The community response has been great and I have been talking to the mayor, Keep
Horowhenua Beautiful and others. Near the barbecue area and the flying fox we found needles. We have also found needles around Jubilee Park.”
A meeting is coming up with a lot of community groups, police and health officials to come up with solution to the rubbish problem.
On Saturday, November 21, another clean-up will take place.
The plan is to hold a cleanup every other week and the team have rivers and beaches in their sights too.
“We just want to make sure our kids can play in these places safely.”
So far Jay and his friends have funded the effort with help from others, but they would like more hands to the pump.
“Sponsors woud be great, but no money please.
“We need food, such as bread, onions and could use toys to give to the kids who come and help.
“We want to make each clean-up a great day out for the kids,” said JJ, who is the new chef at the new Ollies Restaurant in Waitarare Beach,
which opens next month. More helpers to pick up rubbish on the day would be great too.
Jay and his team of three are all recent arrivals to Horowhenua. “We look with fresh eyes at Levin and want to do what we can because we already love this place.” i
If you want to know more or if you think you can help sponsor, call Jay 022 56 27175.