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The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville East St. Louis Center’s Veterans Upward Bound (VUB) joined forces with the City of East St. Louis on Saturday, Oct. 17 to help spruce up the town. 

VUB participated in the “East Saint Louis Revitalization” project that directed beautification efforts in the area of Sixth St. and Dr. Martin Luther King Dr., according to Jasin Jackson, VUB program coordinator. 

The cleanup was part of the City’s efforts to revitalize East St. Louis, starting with the downtown area. More than 50 area volunteers that included five VUB workers, participated, according to Jackson. VUB volunteers included Jackson, Program Director Jim Robbins, Michael Jackson, Aaron McCoy and Danielle Ellis. 

“Local businesses were given assistance to help them come up to new code standards,” Jasin Jackson said. “The VUB team worked on the Eastside Meat Market at 510 Martin Luther King Dr. We painted the building a neutral color, picked up trash on the streets and around the building, and set up board barriers on other buildings that were abandoned.” 

The ongoing Revitalization project is part of the City of East St. Louis’ three-point plan of Revitalize, Rebuild and Renew. 

“We were pleased to be a part of the City’s project, and will continue to look for ways to volunteer in our community,” said Jackson. 

Veterans Upward Bound assists with the pursuit of vocational/technical, associate’s and bachelor’s degrees. Our mission is to provide supportive services to military veterans, and members of the National Guard and Reserve to enable them to enter or re-enter a vocational/technical school or a two- or four-year college. We are looking for veterans who want to further their education, but need help navigating the enrollment process and finding financial assistance. We are looking for veterans who need help in balancing work and family. We are looking for veterans who are ready to take on the task of making life better for themselves and their families. 

Photos:
Michael Jackson (holding the ladder) was one of five VUB volunteers from the SIUE East St. Louis Center Veterans Upward Bound program. 

VUB volunteers work with other community members to add fresh paint to Eastside Meat Market in East St. Louis.