Hmong Youth & Parents United Officially Named a Clean California Community

Sacramento, CA– Hmong Youth & Parents United (HYPU) has officially earned the unique designation as an official “Clean California Community” from Caltrans’ Clean CA initiative. This makes HYPU one of 35 communities to earn the designation so far across the state.

The designation reflects HYPU’s role as a leader in California’s Zero Litter movement to keep all parts of the state as clean, healthy, and beautiful as possible. Proving its leadership over the last 12 months, HYPU rallied more than 120 volunteers and neighbors to implement an array of long-term, zero-litter policies in support of litter prevention, beautification, and environmental enhancement. As a result, over 3,886 pounds of trash and recyclables have been removed from neighborhoods throughout Sacramento County, including Del Paso Heights and the bike trail along the American River. “We all want to live in a clean, healthy community and the best way to ensure that is to work together keep litter and debris off our streets,” said Shoun Thao, Executive Director of HYPU. “Cleaning up California is a big job that will take the collective efforts of all of us, and we are pleased to be part of this important statewide effort.”

The Clean California Community Designation Program is part of Governor Gavin Newsom’s $1.2 billion Clean California initiative, which was launched in 2021 by Caltrans to clean up, reclaim, transform, and beautify public spaces statewide. The program was developed in partnership with Caltrans, Keep America Beautiful, and Keep California Beautiful.

To earn the Clean California designation, HYPU completed at least 10 of 15 criteria to clean up and beautify the HOPE Center, including Litter Assessment & Measurement, Enforcement, Community Greenery & Beautification, and Community Education.

In recognition of their dedication to a cleaner community, HYPU will receive “Clean California Community” signage, educational resources, automatic membership with Keep California Beautiful, and recognition in statewide releases and cross-promotional Clean California materials.

HYPU encourages other communities throughout California to join the program and continue to clean up and transform California. For more information about the program and to take the pledge, visit CleanCA.com/Designation.