New Haven Independent

Eight girls up to age 17 set out with Ragsdale, her sister Elayne Ragsdale, and friend Dinella Dodd on Saturday morning with two goals: to clean up the front of Dixwell Plaza and raise money for local food banks and for a prospective trip to the nation’s capital.

“I just thought it would be positive and everyone would benefit from it,” said Ragsdale, founder of the program.

The girls planted mums and tulip bulbs in barrels provided by New Haven parks department Project Coordinator Doreen Larson-Oboyski.

“I used to work with Thelma, and when she came up with this idea I asked the parks department staff if we could use the barrels,” said Oboyski (on the right in photo below), “and my boss said ‘certainly.’”

Ragsdale said that although she would like the girls to get a chance to meet the first family and tour the White House, she thinks the traveling experience itself would be helpful.

“Even if we don’t see the Obamas, just to go down to Washington will be a great thing,” said Ragsdale.

The mission of the group is “to educate, empower, and promote high self-esteem through volunteer work, beautification projects, recycling, and fundraising.”

The goal of the group is to “improve the quality of life in the Dixwell and Newhallville communities through beautification projects and donations to the local food bank.”

Ragsdale said she started the group because the girls have a lot of influence on what goes on in their neighborhood. She wants to have a positive impact on them while they’re young.

“Everybody’s gotta help out and I feel I can help out this way,” said Ragsdale, broom in hand.

In addition beautification projects, Ragsdale said each girl will have a library card and a bank account. The group meets on the second and fourth Saturdays of each month from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Dixwell Community Police Substation at 26 Charles St. For more information contact Thelma J. Ragsdale, Mentor, 203-397-3533 (h) or 203-676-6578 (c).