Editor’s update — September 18, 2026: The Phoenix pilot is active on 20th Street between Camelback Road and Indian School Road. The national 100-mile challenge below is a proposal, not a running program. City examples describe independent municipal opportunities, not participating Institute chapters. No national leaderboard or partner-badge program is operating. Current pilot status and evidence.

Christopher Alghini and Frank Scalise maintain a mile of 20th Street in Phoenix through the city’s Adopt-A-Street program. They are inviting other Italian American groups to organize cleanups in their own communities.

Christopher Alghini at the Phoenix Adopt-A-Street sign on 20th Street in the Biltmore district, ready for a cleanup run
Christopher Alghini at the Phoenix Adopt-A-Street sign on 20th Street in the Biltmore district, ready for a cleanup run

Recently, Christopher Alghini, founder of the Alghini Institute, joined his 87-year-old cousin Frank Scalise, a Chicago-born Italian American living in Phoenix, to adopt a mile of roadway in the Biltmore district of Phoenix.

Through the city's Adopt-A-Street program, they maintain:

20th Street between Camelback Road and Indian School Road.

Wearing safety vests and carrying trash bags, they clean the street several times each year.

Regular cleanups can make a visible difference on a street that neighbors use every day.

The Proposed "100 Miles for Italian American Communities" Challenge

The Phoenix cleanup is the Institute’s active pilot. The wider challenge is a proposal to help reach a goal of 100 adopted miles after the pilot is evaluated:

The Italian American Clean Streets Initiative

Our goal: Adopt and maintain 100 miles of streets across America.

The proposed challenge would invite cities, organizations, and families to adopt a street and commit to periodic cleanups. It remains a future goal.

Christopher Alghini and Frank Scalise, 87, after a successful cleanup on 20th Street in Phoenix
Christopher Alghini and Frank Scalise, 87, after a successful cleanup on 20th Street in Phoenix

From the Street

These photographs show Christopher and Frank picking up litter during a Phoenix cleanup.

Christopher and Frank with a full trash bag after their Biltmore district cleanup
Christopher and Frank with a full trash bag after their Biltmore district cleanup
Christopher Alghini working the bike lane segment of 20th Street during a 2025 cleanup
Christopher Alghini working the bike lane segment of 20th Street during a 2025 cleanup

City Cleanup Programs

These city examples describe independent municipal opportunities, not participating Institute chapters. Check each city’s current program before organizing a cleanup.

New York City

Busy New York City street with pedestrians and cars
Busy New York City street with pedestrians and cars

NYC encourages residents and neighborhood organizations to participate in local cleanup programs through the Department of Sanitation. Volunteers can organize block cleanups, maintain public spaces, and participate in neighborhood beautification initiatives.

NYC Department of Sanitation

Chicago

Dynamic long-exposure view of a busy Chicago downtown street
Dynamic long-exposure view of a busy Chicago downtown street

Chicago's community cleanup initiatives allow residents, businesses, and organizations to adopt streets and public spaces. Volunteers commit to periodic cleanups that help reduce litter and strengthen neighborhood pride.

City of Chicago Streets Department

Philadelphia

View of a Philadelphia city street from street level
View of a Philadelphia city street from street level

Philadelphia's Streets Department supports community cleanup efforts and neighborhood beautification. Residents can organize block cleanups and volunteer programs that help keep historic neighborhoods clean and welcoming.

Philadelphia Streets Department

Boston

Old red brick houses on a narrow street in Boston's historic North End neighborhood
Old red brick houses on a narrow street in Boston's historic North End neighborhood

Boston's Public Works Department supports community-led cleanup initiatives that allow residents and organizations to help maintain streets and public spaces.

Boston Public Works

Newark

Urban city street with cars and buildings at night
Urban city street with cars and buildings at night

Newark offers programs that encourage residents and community groups to help maintain city streets, vacant lots, and neighborhood spaces through organized volunteer cleanup efforts.

City of Newark

Providence

Historic New England street with American flag and brick buildings
Historic New England street with American flag and brick buildings

Providence encourages community volunteers to organize neighborhood cleanup events and beautification projects that improve local streets and public spaces.

City of Providence

San Francisco

Iconic San Francisco street with classic cable car and city architecture
Iconic San Francisco street with classic cable car and city architecture

San Francisco's Adopt-A-Street program allows residents, families, and organizations to commit to maintaining a specific street or block through regular litter pickups and beautification efforts.

SF Public Works — Adopt-A-Street

Los Angeles

Los Angeles palm tree-lined street at golden hour sunset
Los Angeles palm tree-lined street at golden hour sunset

Los Angeles residents, businesses, and organizations can adopt a block or street through the city's Adopt-A-Street program and participate in ongoing cleanup efforts to improve neighborhood environments.

Streets LA — Adopt-A-Street

Phoenix

Christopher Alghini working the bike lane segment of 20th Street during a Phoenix cleanup
Christopher Alghini working the bike lane segment of 20th Street during a Phoenix cleanup

Phoenix offers residents the opportunity to adopt a one-mile segment of roadway. Volunteers commit to periodic litter cleanups and receive safety equipment and supplies from the city.

Phoenix Adopt-A-Street Program

Buffalo

Person walking across a wide urban street in an American city
Person walking across a wide urban street in an American city

Buffalo encourages residents and community organizations to adopt blocks and participate in neighborhood cleanup efforts that improve the appearance and cleanliness of city streets.

City of Buffalo

Why This Initiative Matters

Beyond keeping streets clean, the Italian American Clean Streets Initiative helps:

  • Strengthen civic pride
  • Bring communities together
  • Honor Italian American traditions of service
  • Engage younger generations in volunteerism
  • Show positive leadership in our cities

How You Can Participate

Check your city’s current volunteer program, safety instructions, eligible locations, and cleanup schedule before organizing a group.

Record the litter collected at each cleanup so your group can describe its results accurately.

Share Your Story

If your family, organization, or local Italian American group adopts a street, we want to hear from you.

Send your photos and story to be featured on ItalianAmericans.com. Together we can reach our goal of 100 miles of adopted streets across America.

Read the current Phoenix pilot status on the Clean Streets Initiative page. The proposed national challenge is not accepting leaderboard entries.

Take the First Step

Invite friends or a local organization to help maintain a street, then share what your group learned.