The mission of Groundwork Elizabeth is to bring about the sustained regeneration, improvement and management of the physical environment by developing community-based partnerships which empower people, businesses, educational institutions and other organizations to promote environmental, economic and social well-being. History of Groundwork Elizabeth and the Groundwork USA Program Groundwork Elizabeth is an outgrowth of an international program which first began in Merseyside, England in 1980, in response to an uptake in youth related community challenges. Through its program of youth engagement, and by fostering community ownership, the organization successfully served as a conduit for community improvement as the program reduced crime, saw levels of education rise, and transformed more of the formerly troubled youth into productive members of society. The success of the program saw it grow from one Trust to more than 50 Trusts within the U.K. Stories about the successful endeavor travelled across the Atlantic to the U.S. and in 1996, The National Park Service, through the Department of the Interior, studied the initiative, and shared its goals with Congress. The introduction of the program into the US took the organization in new directions. A pilot program with three organizations from New England began the US effort and added Elizabeth in 2003. Groundwork Elizabeth was initiated by a grant from the National Park Service Rivers and Trails Assistance Program in cooperation with the City of Elizabeth. Using the improvement of the environment as a “tool”, the US programs have moved the communities where they are based towards sustained urban regeneration. Environmental education, tree plantings, gardens, park building, healthy living, and other activities have defined the mission of the organization. Working closely with its many partners within the City of Elizabeth, Groundwork has proven its ability to assist improving the lives of children by engaging them in community service projects, educational programming, presenting their vision of the community to peers, government, and the community at large. Led by an Executive Director, a Board of Directors, instructors, and a galley of volunteers and students, the organization has consistently leveraged its outreach to include schools, youth related non-profits, a national network of other Groundwork Trusts, and other diverse entities. In 2008, Groundwork Elizabeth was recognized by Mayor Bollwage in a Community Development Block Grant ceremony for, “empowering residents and businesses to actively participate in beautifying our City by planting trees, building parks, remediating brownfields, and raising environmental awareness”. To accomplish the Groundwork mission we work to: Increase the capacity of communities to improve and care for their local environment. Reclaim vacant and derelict lands for conservation, recreation and economic development. Clean up and care for neglected areas to signal community pride and rejuvenation. Return brownfields to economically productive use while restoring blighted landscapes with healthy environments. Integrate environmental education and job training into projects it undertakes. Engage business, government, non-profits and communities to work together for sustainable environmental care and enhancement. Support business, nonprofit, government and community efforts to improve their local environment. Raise the profile of urban environmental improvements as part of a comprehensive approach to smart growth strategies and rejuvenation of inner city communities. Insure projects look as good or better in five years as they do on the day of completion.