The City of St. John’s, The Gathering Place and the AIDS Committee of Newfoundland and Labrador (ACNL) launched a new program today called Pitching In. This collaborative initiative will provide enhanced cleaning in the downtown area of St. John’s while creating meaningful paid employment opportunities for Guests of The Gathering Place.

Through the pilot project, participants will carry out regular cleaning activities in downtown parks, sidewalks, bus stops and in other public spaces. These efforts will complement the cleaning services already provided by the City.

“Pitching In is about bringing people together to make a positive difference in our downtown,” said Mayor Danny Breen. “It will provide additional resources to help keep our public spaces clean while creating opportunities for people to gain work experience, build skills and take steps toward future employment. It is a great example of what can happen when community partners work together.”

The Gathering Place will lead the initiative, with ACNL providing staff and participant training to ensure the safe disposal of litter which may include hazardous items like discarded needles, as well as cleanup equipment and expertise. The City is contributing up to $150,000 to support the pilot project.

“As the needs of our community continue to grow, programs like Pitching In create meaningful opportunities for Guests of The Gathering Place to earn income, gain valuable work experience and build a pathway back to employment,” said Colin McNeil, Executive Director of The Gathering Place. “At the same time, their work will make a visible difference in our downtown. It’s a win-win—creating opportunities for people while helping make downtown St. John’s cleaner and more welcoming for everyone.”

The initiative is designed to benefit the entire community. Downtown residents, businesses and visitors will benefit from additional cleaning resources, while participants gain paid employment, training and valuable experience that can support their transition to longer-term employment.

“Pitching In is a harm reduction project supported by the City of St. John’s and designed by uniting the expertise of the AIDS Committee Newfoundland & Labrador and The Gathering Place, to empower Guests supported by both organizations, and enhance the safety and beauty of our city,” said Gerard Yetman, Executive Director of ACNL.

The partners hope to build on the pilot and establish Pitching In as an ongoing initiative if it achieves the expected results.

Pitching In is one way the City is investing in programs that address social needs, create employment opportunities and support greater stability in our community. This year alone, the City has also provided more than $900,000 to community organizations delivering programs and services that support residents and address these broader social issues through its annual Community and Capital Grants Program.