Church groups from around the state have come to St. Paul’s East Side this week for a home fix-up mission.
Dozens of young people and adults are helping on more than 40 home repair, lawn projects and tear-downs in the Dayton’s Bluff neighborhood, in an effort to beautify the area and make it safer.
Led by the Urban Cross group at Mounds Park United Methodist Church, the visiting workers are busy on projects in the neighborhood while about 50 local residents are helping the workers with logistics: housing, food and transportation.
Church leaders said that the challenging economic times have made it hard for many on the East Side simply to keep up with repairs and maintenance and in some cases this can cause safety and health issues for the homeowner and community.
St. Paul City Council President Kathy Lantry, who represents the area, said:
“We are really excited that Dayton’s Bluff has been selected as the target neighborhood for this great event. The service that these young people provide can mean a world of difference for folks who may not have the resources to make repairs to their homes. Having some of these maintenance issues addressed can also prolong the life of our housing stock, makes the neighborhood more appealing overall, and provides an excellent learning experience for the youth who participate. It’s a win for everyone.”
The effort continues through Friday.
