State Rep. Jared Solomon announced $30,000 in funding for the Oxford Circle Christian Community Development Association.
“Our communities deserve and need safe, clean streets,” Solomon said. “We are changing the message in our community. We are sending the message to residents and business owners that we care about our community.
“This street-cleaning program started off with one sponsor; Steve’s Prince of Steaks sponsored the weekly cleaning of Castor Avenue. Now the program has expanded to 3 days a week along Castor as well as 2 days a week along Bustleton Avenue and Cottman Avenue.”
Tomika Miles, owner of Journey Hair Salon, 7041 Castor Ave., and head of the business association, said, “I have been a hair stylist for over 30 years and an educator for about 15 years. As a minority business owner, I’m grateful for clean streets.”
Ronald Hines, an employee who cleans and maintains the streets along Oxford Circle, pleaded with residents to stop littering, stating, “We all have to do this together.”
Solomon was also joined by Magaly Hernandez, economic development coordinator for OCCCDA.
“This effort shows how powerful we are when we come together as one,” Hernandez said. “This is a result of multiple entities coming together for one purpose; state representative, nonprofit, business and community coming together to make big changes and improvements.
“I am thankful and honored to be here receiving these funds in order to continue investing in our community.”
Solomon said, “Magaly Hernandez is the development director for Oxford Circle Christian Community Development Association, and she wears many hats to ensure businesses are getting the resources they need.”
The grant will be used for professional street-cleaning services and administrative costs associated with the Oxford Circle Street Cleaning Project. Solomon presented the check to OCCCDA last Thursday outside his district office, 7012 Castor Ave. ••
