MPCI Park Clean-Up Unites Youth for a Cleaner, Greener Community

On Saturday, October 11, 2025, KYCC Prevention Education’s  MacArthur Park Community Initiative (MPCI) hosted a community clean-up at MacArthur Park. The event aimed to engage local youth in a hands-on clean-up effort, addressing ongoing concerns around cleanliness and safety in the park, while also empowering young people to take an active role in beautifying their community. The initiative also sought to foster environmental awareness, responsibility, and leadership among the youth.

In partnership with Athens Services, the event included an educational workshop featuring a garbage truck demonstration. This interactive session gave youth valuable insight into waste management systems, sustainability practices, and potential career pathways in the environmental services field.

A total of 30 youth community members from the Koreatown, Pico-Union, and Westlake neighborhoods took part in the event, with many sharing a growing interest in sustainability and making a positive difference in their communities.

Through their collective efforts, we were able to remove approximately 100 pounds of trash and hazardous waste from MacArthur Park, making a tangible improvement to the park’s environment. Beyond the physical cleanup, the event cultivated greater awareness and engagement around environmental responsibility and community-driven change.

“During the clean-up I had a good time talking with friends and spending time helping the community. After the clean-up, I got the opportunity to talk to some people from Athens. I really enjoyed the conversations I had with them—they gave a lot of good information,” said a KPWR intern.

The MacArthur Park clean-up demonstrated how youth engagement, education, and partnership can come together to create both immediate environmental benefits and long-term community impact. By empowering young people with knowledge and experience, the program planted the seeds for future leaders in sustainability and civic action.

Special thank you to our program partners Los Angeles City Council District 1 and Athens Services.