Urban Refuge Students Lead Community Cleanup in East Boston
Urban Refuge recently demonstrated its commitment to community engagement by organizing a volunteer neighborhood cleanup in Maverick Square and surrounding streets in East Boston. Held on April 11 in partnership with the City of Boston and several BU student groups, the entirely student‑organized effort brought together 42 volunteers, including students and recent alumni, who collected more than 40 bags of trash while revitalizing one of the area’s most heavily trafficked public spaces.
The cleanup reflects Urban Refuge’s broader mission to improve access to essential resources through a privacy‑first digital platform that maps verified social services worldwide. What began as a classroom project in the Forced Migration Policy Incubator course taught by Dr. Noora Lori, has grown into a global, collaborative initiative aimed at bridging information gaps and improving accessibility for individuals seeking support. By pairing digital innovation with hands‑on local action, Urban Refuge continues to model how student leadership at BU can translate academic work into meaningful community impact.
Their new Boston-based website is expected to launch in May 2026.
More information on the cleanup can be found here.