Written by Justin Culetu
Southeastern San Diego neighborhood residents in Valencia Park have been working tirelessly to enliven the community council and motivate the engagement of fellow residents. From weekly neighborhood cleanups, to artwork and community projects, the re-established Valencia Park Community Council is making a positive impact in their community.
Council leader Rob Iuliucci and his wife, Laura Iuliucci, moved to Valencia Park just one year ago and were eager to get involved with the community. Earlier this year, they volunteered at a neighborhood clean-up event which inspired them to re-establish the absent community council and bring the community closer together.
Although they are new to the community, the leadership shown by the Iuliucci’s has brought a positive change to the neighborhood. One of their first projects included an eye-catching welcome sign located at a turn entering the neighborhood.
Other Valencia Park residents are getting involved in the movement as well. Jason Joslyn is the organizer for the group’s clean-up projects that run twice a week. During one of their clean-ups on a secret stairway that cuts through the neighborhood, the council brought up the idea of painting a mural on those very steps. This sparked the idea to empower local artists to paint murals in several different locations around the neighborhood. Avery Watkins and his fiancée Rachel Watkins also brought up the idea to implement the Free Little Library project. During the COVID-19 quarantine, this generous action kept families and their children busy by sharing books with one another.
Even with a small budget often funded out of their own pockets, the group’s ideas continue to find ways to encourage communal purpose in their neighborhood and inspire residents of Valencia Park to enjoy the little things in life. With the help of their GoFundMe campaign, their ideas will only continue to better the community.
Photo via Neighborhood Spotlight
