I am proud to be a founding member of Sunnyslope Graffiti Fighters (SGF).  Working with Andy Sobczak, Earl Porter, and neighborhood leaders throughout Sunnyslope, we founded SGF in an effort to increase neighborhood pride while eliminating unsightly graffiti.  The group is a partnership of neighborhood leaders in the Sunnyslope, New Northtown and North Central areas, Sunnyslope High School National Honor Society students and the City of Phoenix Graffiti Busters and Neighborhood Services.  SGF conducts monthly cleanups in the Village Center area. SGF goes to areas that are having problems with graffiti.

One of the keys to discouraging graffiti is neighborhood response.  SGF provides that response and Graffiti Busters follows up on the really big jobs and tracks down the offenders themselves.  Neighborhood Services works on other blight problems with business owners and residents in the area.

SGF volunteers meet on a Saturday morning, at least once monthly when school is in session.   We conduct a training session, pair experienced adult leaders and students with new recruits, organize into teams by area and head out.  We find that we can cover the entire area in two hours. We remove graffiti from walls, buildings and signs, and clean up trash. City of Phoenix Graffiti Busters provides the supplies, and volunteers provide the time and talent.

The old saying that many hands make light work really is true with the addition of National Honor Society students. The adult leaders get to meet really great kids and the students gain a greater understanding of what it takes to keep our neighborhoods safe, clean and attractive.  I am proud of our young leaders and their community involvement.  If you would like to know more about the organization or would like to volunteer, please contact me.