Walking down Division Avenue in downtown Grand Rapids, it seems inevitable that you will pass a homeless person. They may ask you for money, simply say “Hello” or the occasional “God Bless You!”
Often these remarks make the average person uncomfortable, unsure of how to respond. On Saturday, April 25 at the Heartside Pride Cleansweep Project, however, this was not the case.

A total of 163 Aquinas alumni, students and residents came together to beautify the Heartside District in downtown Grand Rapids and build relationships along the way. The event was organized by CAVA under the leadership of senior CAVA Coordinator Emily Ferstle and CAVA Advisor Eric Bridge.

“As an organization, you plan and plan for these events,” Ferstle said. “As you’re planning, you can’t quite anticipate the level of energy and enthusiasm that the volunteers come out with.”

“You can’t plan for that. That’s the magic of it.”
The Heartside Pride Cleansweep Project began in 1984 at Aquinas College and grew into a national event currently known as the Hunger Cleanup. After 25 years, the Hunger Cleanup now includes 95 colleges and universities that hold similar events.

At the beginning of the event, Aquinas student volunteers met at the Cook Carriage House for a free breakfast and then headed downtown around 8:30 a.m. where they split up into groups of six to nine workers.

Groups were led by student leaders and were designated blocks of the Heartside District to clean-up, whether it was picking up trash and broken glass, cleaning flower beds or removing concrete parking barriers, among other tasks. Items collected were grouped into four categories – plastics and metals, garbage, natural waste and recyclables.
Volunteers continued working until about 11:30 a.m. when the rain began pouring down. They then headed over to God’s Kitchen and ate subs for lunch provided by Schnitz Delicatessen, which is located near the Aquinas campus next to Family Fare on Fulton.

This event has become a service project that students look forward to year after year, offering a unique opportunity to work not only with fellow students, but other volunteers from a variety of different backgrounds in a local location that is truly in need of assistance. Stephen Simon, who was a 2008 Group Leader for Heartside Project Pride believes the experience leaves an impact.

“For the people who have never done this before, this is a great way to see what kind of relationships they can form with strangers…the whole idea is to meet with people of Heartside and learn their stories,” said Simon.

When asked what inspired him to participate in the project again this year, Simon’s reply was simple.

“Honestly, it just needed to be done.”

The Heartside District essentially makes up the area between Fulton and Wealthy, west to the Grand River and east to Lafayette. At one time, this area was thriving, serving as the primary hub of transportation with Union Railroad Depot off Division, providing companies a means for importing and exporting goods, and it was the central site for early residents to enter Grand Rapids.

In the 1940’s and 50’s, however, air and truck industries took over the train industry, and the Heartside District’s economy took a significant turn. Eventually, vacated warehouses and empty hotels lined the streets, and it was given the nickname “Skid Row.”

Investors and social services have been working effortlessly to restore the area, however, and it is emerging into a premiere urban district that is a major supporter of the arts.
Though the Heartside District is still in need of work, particularly in providing resources for the homeless and low-income families.

Simon, who had homeless volunteers working in his group and had the opportunity to hear of their experiences, reflected that one of the major issues that has become evident in this part of the city is not entirely tangible.
“Once the loneliness and depression sets in for homeless people, they are forced to resort to addictions and alcoholism,” he said.

Sophomore John Broderick, another Aquinas student volunteer, also found the project to be an eye-opening experience to the injustices that are still a part of the Heartside District.

“I think it is really unfortunate that many of the people there have some sort of mental illness or addiction to alcohol or drugs,” Broderick said. “I think as a society we need to shift our focus to addressing these issues, which is why it was great to make those connections with the Heartside residents.”

Overall, the event was a success, both memorable and productive for those who participated. Some students were disappointed that they did not help more, while others wish they could have had more interaction with Heartside residents and the homeless volunteers.

At the end of the day, streets and alleys were cleaned, flowerbeds were prepared and parking lots were improved. But most importantly, relationships were made, the “us vs. them” barriers were broken and a once neglected district of Grand Rapids was brought back to life.