“Street Squad” Cleans Up

Under a sunny April day, Keith Urquhart struggled to wrest free a gnarled weed by a chain link fence in the grounds behind 333 Valley St. in West Hills.

“Redroot weed,” he said, wiping beads of sweat from his forehead. ​“It’s stubborn.”

Part of a newly formed ​“Street Squad,” Urquhart was among a crew of 20 people who were weeding, raking, leaf-blowing, debris-clearing, and tree-pruning the grounds Saturday in advance of this summer’s opening of the revamped community center, now known as ​“333 Valley Street: An Intergenerational Organization Inc.”

The crew had bussed over earlier that morning from Redemption House, a short-term residential facility on Crescent Street for people with substance use disorder.

“We do this as a part of giving back to society and serving the community,” said Rick Delvalle, founder of Redemption House, as he shut down his leaf blower a few yards away. ​“It gives us a sense of purpose and lets us see the good we can do in the world. That’s huge when you’re trying to rebuild your life from the bottom up.”

The plan is simple: ​“We’ll be out every weekend, weather permitting, wherever we’re needed, so if you have an area that needs to be cleaned up or you’re in a financial pinch and need assistance with home repairs, just get in touch with us.” 

Urquhart, who was waiting for help with the redroot weed, said he’d come to Redemption House earlier that week. His hope, he said, was to get into Rushford, a treatment center in Middletown. For now he wanted to get his bearings at the Crescent Street residence.

“Just being out here today, it just feels good to be sober and actually working. Someone told me this is going to help a community center get off its feet, and that’s amazing, that we’re helping the city, the people of this city.”

At that moment, Coach Tony Morrissey handed a chainsaw to Urquhart. ​“This should do it,” Morrissey said.

Morrissey is chairman of the nonprofit Brian Cody’s Brothers & Sisters Foundation created in memory of his son Brian Cody , who died in August 2019 at 20 after a fatal overdose. Its mission is to remove impediments that block people seeking help in overcoming addiction through activism, promotion of critical legislation, and direct care support.

“This right here is the beauty of recovery,” he said, amid the scratch of rakes on the ground. ​“It shows that with a little support and direction, people can get the chance to find sobriety, lead productive lives, and make our community a better place.” 

Across the yard, Michael Albert and Marquis Reid cleared leaves piled against the back of the building. ​“Let’s put the bag over here,” said Albert, a Redemption House resident.

Reid picked up the bag and held it open. ​“This is my community, born and raised out here for 40 years, so I’m right behind Honda with this community center,” he said, referring to West Hills Alder Honda Smith.

Smith, leading a visitor inside, said the Community Center, known as The Shack, opened around 60 years ago and closed in 2003 due to mismanagement. ​“People sent their kids here for daycare, for afterschool care, for summer camp, for basketball, baseball, and softball teams,” she said, noting she played on the softball team. ​“Everything was going on in here.”

Smith said her work in revamping the center was inspired by former director Ron Augustine. ​“I want this to be a place where children can excel beyond whatever they think they can be,” she said.

To that end, there’s a computer lab, a recording studio, and a lecture hall where health care and other professionals who grew up in West Hills will discuss career pathways.

“We got the lease signed with the city, so that’s done, and we need to get the kitchen rewired and brought up to code,” Smith said. Also on the to-do list: a shower to be installed for people who are experiencing homelessness and the recording studio to be soundproofed.

“We need funding and we need donors, but what’s going on today is just the best thing to happen, for Rick and his people to come in and in such large numbers,” she said, thanking Ward 30 Committee co-chair Marcey Lynn Jones for helping make the connection. ​“I was thinking it would take at least a week or two to clean up the grounds, and now it’s going to be mostly done within one day.” 

By then, Smith was back out in the sunshine, expressing her gratitude as she offered bottles of water and cookies to the crew — among them, Napoleon Tartaglia, a contractor and chef who works as a staff member at Redemption House.

“We’re not done,” he told Smith, as the aroma of freshly mown grass drifted through the air. ​“We’re going to come back and power wash the exterior and we’re going to paint the inside.”

“Awesome,” said West Hills resident Jerrell Merritt. He’d attended day care at the center, he said, and when he got older, summer camp. ​“Reopening, rebuilding this center is going to be really great for our community and this cleanup really helps,” he said, adding he was slated to work in the game room and in the kitchen. 

As the heat of the midday sun bore down on the crew, marking three hours of labor, the work slowed. Inside the center, Delvalle and Smith discussed future collaborations.

“Immaculate,” Redemption House resident Sean Amendola pronounced, surveying the grounds.

“What a day,” he continued, as a siren sounded. ​“Miss Honda is so grateful and that makes me feel great.” He paused for a moment, squinting at the grit in the air. ​“Doing something like this, having this day, it gives me a start.”

To request assistance in cleanup or home repairs from the Street Squad, visit The Redemption House on Facebook or call 203 – 891-5421.