Urban Park Cleanup: One man’s promise turned into a community initiative

Last summer, Oakland resident Vincent Ray Williams III was working out at a park near his house when he saw a young boy watching him. A brief chat revealed that the boy lived in a nearby van, but was not allowed to play in the park, which was littered with broken glass, used needles and trash. 

The encounter had a profound impact on Williams, 33, who had grown up in the area and had himself been homeless on and off for many years.