Gina Paradis, Chautauqua County Land Bank Corp. executive director, said the land bank will be applying for U.S. Housing and Urban Development Community Development Block Grant funding to possible start a Hands On Neighborhoods program in Dunkirk. She said the grant application was discussed during a Chautauqua County Land Bank Corp. meeting last month.

The new Hands On Neighborhoods program started in Jamestown this year and two clean up events have been held, which took place in the area of North Main to Washington streets and Sixth to 11th streets in April and the downtown business district in May.

The new program is a collaboration of public, private and nonprofit organizations that includes the Chautauqua County Land Bank Corp., city of Jamestown, Jamestown Renaissance Corp. and Zion Covenant Church. Program sponsors include Lakeshore Savings Bank, the Chautauqua County Industrial Development Agency and Ralph C. Sheldon Foundation.

“We want to expand the program to Dunkirk this up coming year,” she said.

Submitted Photo A couple of children participating in the Hands On Neighborhoods program earlier this month in Jamestown.

“Essentially we want the program to be countywide. This year we’re doing a demonstration project in Jamestown. As we complete projects, we’re building a tool kit. We’re establishing what works best and what doesn’t. We’re putting together checklist, planning guides and forms. If a neighborhood group or any organization wants to do a project we can just hand them the tool kit on how to do it. We can also provide them some supplies like garbage bags. We want to encourage grassroots efforts across the county.”

During the clean up of the downtown business district in Jamestown, Paradis said 150 volunteers participated, which included a Girl Scout troop and the Jamestown High School National Honor Society.

“There were also a lot of residents that wanted to help out. It was a nice event. The weather was perfect,” she said.

Paradis said the next event will take place Saturday, June 12, with registration starting at 8 a.m. and the clean up going until noon. She said the clean up will take place on the west side of the city.

Volunteers are encouraged to bring their own rakes or brooms, but tools will be lent to those who don’t have any. An information table will be hosted to share program and resource information to residents on various homeownership, healthy housing and community health topics.

Future components of the program will include neighborhood safety workshops and, eventually, a mobile tool lending library. For more information on the program, visit CHQlandbank.org/handson.