There's no doubt that graffiti art, when displayed artistically and appropriately, can be very beautiful and thought-provoking. But "tags" (individual or group names sprayed illegally on homes and businesses) constitute vandalism. They send the signal that nobody cares, and research shows that "tags" attract other forms of crime to the neighborhood. We at C-CAN's Graffiti Removal Team seek to keep Burlington tag-free to ensure the safety and beautification of communities and neighborhoods!

Description:
The Graffiti Removal Team was developed by the Community Justice Center in 2001 as a response to victims of graffiti vandalism in Burlington's neighborhoods. Our program aims to empower private citizens, property owners and businesses in the struggle against graffiti. GRT organizes community members, youth service and school groups, and other volunteers to clean up graffiti and create murals in areas frequently hit by taggers.

One of our most successful projects is called "Adopt-A-Block." Community members can get their own free graffiti removal kit if they pledge to clean tags on their designated street in as timely a manner as possible. The Adopt-A-Blockers receive a quick training, are kept up-to-date with what other AABers are doing, and receive small thank-you gifts every now and again! The quicker graffiti is cleaned, the less likely that it will come back, so our Adopt-A-Blockers are very important people!

Additionally, individuals can contact us to report tags that they see or to find out about open graffiti clean-ups during the months of September and October. It'd be fantastic to have you along to help! Clean-ups are fun, and it's so satisfying to see real results in the matter of a couple of hours!

Graffiti Removal chemicals won't work when the weather is under 40 degrees, so from November-March we focus our energies on getting volunteers to shovel snow for elderly and disabled folk on their block. Contact us to find out how you can participate in this worthy project as well.

Contact person: Ita Meno, Program Coordinator, (802) 865-7548, (email)
Office fax number: (802) 865-7117

Address:

125 College St., Wells-Richardson Building, 2nd Floor Burlington, VT 05401 (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.cedoburlington.org/neighborhoods/cjc/first_response_team.htm

Directions:

We are right next to Bennington Potters, which is about a block down from City Hall park in the direction of the lake. When you enter 125 College St., there will be a newspaper and coffee shop on your. . . (more)   Nearest Bus Stop: Church Street, 5 minute walk

Miscellaneous Information

1. What target populations does your agency serve?
	The Burlington community
3. How many paid staff (FTE) do you have?
	2
4. Please indicate your organization type:
	Governmental agency
Volunteers for this agency can serve in these county(s):
	Chittenden County