Important Considerations
As a volunteer, you may come in contact with potentially hazardous materials like broken glass, needles, and other rusted/sharp metal. The Love Your Block Team will provide all volunteers with adequate training measures and equipment in order to safely navigate any potentially harmful objects. While being aware of the material environment of these neighborhoods, the Love Your Block Team also advises all volunteers be mindful of the larger history and context of the neighborhood(s) while offering their time. Arbor Hill, West Hill, North Albany, and the South End neighborhood and residents have been and continue to be harmed by structural racism. As a result of structural and institutional racism, many of Albany’s low income and majority-minority residents have high instances of blight, food apartheid, homelessness, and housing insecurity. As a volunteer, we ask that you are respectful, open minded, and conscious of your presence in the community and the history of structural racism and its effects in the community. All Love Your Block volunteers are to treat all community members regardless of their race, ethnicity, gender, socio-economic standing with respect and dignity at all times.