Episode 16: From Trash to Triumph: How City Problem Solvers is Cleaning Up San Antonio

Edmund, Executive Director of City Problem Solvers, joins the show to discuss his mission to pull San Antonio out of the "top 10 dirtiest cities" list. Through K-12 education, monthly district cleanups, and local government advocacy, his organization is changing community mindsets and inspiring the next generation to take pride in their environment.🎙️Host: Zac Brown: "The Non-Profit Guy"Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zacjordanbrown/🌐GiveKit Website: https://givekit.org/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/givekit/🎙️Guest: Edmund Olszewski: Executive Director of City Problem SolversLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/edmund-olszewski-city-problem-solvers/🌐City Problem Solvers Website: https://cityproblemsolvers.org/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/city-problem-solvers/Find Us: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBoostChannelSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/50nKlDy81jHuoobIFLwiHyApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-giving/id1803474427Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheBoostChannel🌐Website: https://theboost.fm/beyond-giving/Key Highlights💡The Spark: Edmund started the nonprofit after realizing that trash kept reappearing behind his neighborhood fence and discovering San Antonio's high litter rankings.💡Youth Engagement: Their K-12 program and Junior City Problem Solvers Badge incentivize kids to spot and pick up safe "micro-trash" (caps, wrappers) early in life.💡Cleanup Countdown: The team hosts monthly cleanups across different city districts using a 5-gallon bucket system, focusing metrics on human impact rather than just trash weight.💡Advocacy & Outreach: Beyond cleanups, they advocate for park signage at City Hall, run a homeless leadership initiative, and sponsor a vital downtown mobile restroom unit.💡Celebrating Success: They host an annual awards ceremony, partnering with organizations like CPS Energy, to honor local community champions.Current Opportunities & Ways to Get Involved🚨 Immediate Support Needed:City Problem Solvers has scaled rapidly over its first three years, and Edmund is looking to expand his team to keep programs sustainable.📋 Board & Committee Positions: Openings for a new Board Secretary and members for the Special Events Committee.📣 Program Leaders: Dynamic coordinators needed to oversee the Cleanup Program, K-12 Program, and Homeless Outreach.🎨 Skill-Based Volunteers: Looking for social media managers, influencers, and community ambassadors to help staff high-traffic tables at local resource fairs and vendor markets.🧹 General Volunteers: Show up to the monthly district cleanups! (Guardians and signed waivers required for minors).Connect with City Problem Solvers🌐 Website: cityproblemsolvers.org💳 How to Donate: Financial contributions can be made via Zelle or through GiveKit.org. Donations directly support programs like the downtown mobile restroom servicing fees.Next Episode: Tune in next week to Beyond Giving for more insights into the incredible nonprofits making a tangible difference on the Boost Network!