Shawnee, Oklahoma, June 29, 2022 – The City of Shawnee, through its participation in the Bloomberg Center for Public Innovation’s Love Your Block Program at Johns Hopkins University, is pleased to announce the 2022 recipients of the Love Your Block mini-grant program.

The recipients of awards in this year’s grant cycle will focus on opportunities to address issues facing property owners by improving landscaping, façade improvements, and property cleanup tasks such as tree and debris removal. The grant awards range from $500-$1000, with additional material and labor being donated to maximize the impact of the mini-grant program.

During the summer and fall, mini-grant recipients will work with the Love Your Block team, finalize the necessary work tasks, procure materials, and schedule volunteers to assist with grant- funded activities. The volunteer labor will be supplied by various community groups, while area businesses will offer supplies at a discounted cost for use in the Love Your Block program.

The mini-grant projects will take place inside the Love Your Block area, known locally by many as the Dunbar Heights Neighborhood area. The area is bounded by Farral & Highland on the north, Bryant on the east, US Highway 177 on the west, and the North Canadian River to the south. The funding for the mini-grant is a component of the Love Your Block program funded by Johns Hopkins University. No city tax dollars are being used for this grant program.

To learn more about this program, please visit
https://www.shawneeok.org/government/departments/planning/love_your_block_program_.php. You may contact Rian Harkins, Community Development Director, for more information at (405) 878-1665 or rian.harkins@shawneeok.org.