A Bay Area nonprofit sees community cleanup as a path to improved public safety, and it’s employing homeless people and former criminals to get the job done.
Led by Ken Houston, better known to locals as the “Son of Oakland,” the Beautification Council was started in 2012 to protect residents and lead by example.
“We’re changing lives,” Mr. Houston told The Epoch Times. “Some of these people never had a job before, and we’re showing them dignity and respect and teaching them responsibility.”
Initially a community-based organization called the East Oakland Beautification Council, the group subsequently sought to expand, first dropping the “East” and later the “Oakland” from its name so it could better serve a wider swath of the community.
The nonprofit provides opportunities to people often excluded from the traditional workforce due to issues such as drug addiction and criminal records.
“You have to meet them where they are,” Mr. Houston said. “It’s about building lives while beautifying the community.”
On a tour of Alameda County, workers were observed cleaning up homeless encampments, picking up trash and needles, covering graffiti, painting murals, and providing outreach services to homeless individuals.
With a background as a contractor leading projects for office buildings and other projects in Oakland, Mr. Houston is now using his organizational skills and knowledge to transform lives by showing compassion to those most in need.
Throughout the county, the correlation between graffiti and other crimes is evident. Trash piled in the street is almost always accompanied by spray-painted walls, buildings, and signs.
“I saw all this graffiti vandalism and all this illegal dumping,” Mr. Houston said. “I recognized that it was the visual cue of that deterioration that attracted other things.”
The Beautification Council has prioritized cleaning up the graffiti—and employing some responsible for tagging walls to paint murals instead—to help send a signal that low-level crimes will not be tolerated.
“You can’t stop it, but you can curb it,” Mr. Houston said. “You have to turn these people into artists instead of serial vandals.”
Mr. Houston humbly credits the success of his organization to collaboration with state and local officials. He expressed gratitude for support from Gov. Gavin Newsom and Oakland City Administrator Jestin Johnson.
The governor applauded the group’s successes and said Mr. Houston plays an integral role in achieving the state’s goal of beautifying communities.
“He’s been a big partner of ours. I know him well,” Mr. Newsom told The Epoch Times July 11. “He’s been out there with us on some of these volunteer efforts.”
He said the Clean California program—which includes the Beautification Council—is making significant strides to improve public safety.
“That beautification effort ... has turned out to be a very popular program ... and it’s very supported by the Legislature,” Mr. Newsom said. “There are a lot of resources in this space ... and we were able to hold the line on the budget, so we are able to move forward with additional funds over the course of the fiscal year.”
He said the budget includes $1.1 billion in matching grants to support groups like the Beautification Council.
Mr. Houston employs a revolving crew of 35 to 40 individuals, paying living wages of more than $23 per hour for entry-level positions, with supervisors earning $32 per hour or more.
One newly hired worker became acquainted with the nonprofit at a homeless camp—where she’s been living for about two years—and is now helping clean the streets.
“When you have a downfall, it’s bringing you back up ... and teaching us motivation and self-esteem,” said Liana Tubby, 36, of Oakland. “I want to bring myself back and get out of homelessness.”
Another new employee has been living on the streets for about 13 years and said she saw Mr. Houston and “bugged him for work.”
“He talks to us and helps us,” said Sandra Lopez, 67. “I really like it and have been wanting to work with him for a long time.”
His workers said the opportunity to work with the council has given them a renewed lease on life.
“It really changed me,” said Hans Niusulu. “Now I have a job, I work, I’m able to get back with my family, help them out, and pay the bills.”
Many of those employed are women, and many races and backgrounds are represented in the team.
“It’s been the best thing that’s happened to me,” Nelida Rocha said. “I can be there for my kids.”
Another worker said he’s taken to spreading the positive messages and lessons he’s learned while on the job.
“I think I’m impacting the city ... I think I’m a better person now,” Alfonso Smith said. “I used to litter, but now I’m picking stuff up, and I’m telling people about littering, as well.”
One employee said he’s working toward a position as a firefighter after honing his skills working with Mr. Houston.
“Ken is giving us a chance,” said Emanuel Caprio. “We’re out here getting things done and putting our lives together.”
With hundreds of success stories and lives saved under his belt, Mr. Houston said the emotional connection he has with those impacted by homelessness and the criminal justice system is what keeps him motivated to stay on course.
“I was built for this moment,” he said. “These people need direction, and we’re here for them.”
