Love Your Block Program

LYB Logo

Our Mission

The City of Albany is in its fourth year of offering Love Your Block services to historically underserved neighborhood in Albany. This program is a part of the City of Albany's Neighborhood and Community Services Department.

Love Your Block focuses our efforts on improving quality of life issues, beautifying neighborhood spaces, and creating community connections, block by block. We prioritize our time, energy, and resources towards historically underserved areas such as:  

  • Arbor Hill 
  • West Hill 
  • North Albany 
  • The South End

We are supported by the generous contributions of the Carl Touhey Foundation, the Albany Historic Foundation Tool Lending Library, and additional program partners who give their time, talent, and materials that make our work possible. 

  1. 1 Group picture 2
  2. 2 Seed Library Flyer Pic
  3. 3 Gabi Garden
  4. 4 Art project
  5. 5 2025 Screen Repair Workshop 11
  6. 6 2025 Giffen Garden Party 6
  7. 7 bucket construction 4
  8. 8 Raised Bed Construction 5
Urban Garden Window Sill Seed Starting Class 2.21.26

2025 Available Services 

Love Your Block will be taking requests for specific services and resources on a rolling basis throughout our 2025 project season starting in April. Take a sneak peak at what we're offering this year and the months they'll be available to residents! 

Window Screen Repair - May + June (APPLICATION CLOSED)
Bucket Gardens - June (APPLICATION CLOSED)
Lead Soil Testing - August + September (APPLICATION CLOSED)
Top Soil Rebuilding -  July, August, September, + October (APPLICATION CLOSED)
Window Boxes - July, August, + September (APPLICATION CLOSED)
Emergency Preparedness Kits - July (APPLICATION CLOSED)
Raised Garden Bed Construction - August (APPLICATION CLOSED)
Residential Trash and Recycling Bins - September (APPLICATION CLOSED)
Winter Weatherization Installation - November (APPLICATION CLOSED)


All services and resources will be available for sign up through a JotForm link on our webpage, at various tabling events in the community, and by visiting our office located at 200 Henry Johnson Blvd during normal business hours. 

APPLY HERE

 We highly encourage that you and your neighbors consider applying to our program if the following criteria applies to you 

  1. Reside within Albany City limits, especially if located in our target neighborhoods
  2. Are passionate about issues within your community 
  3. Have an idea to improve your immediate neighborhood 
  4. Talk with your neighbors and willing to collaborate with them 
  5. Are interested in the available Love Your Block services 
  6. Are committed and organized in your goals from start to finish

Use our Jotform link(s) below to request our available services!

  • None yet, check back with us later!

Want to Volunteer? 

Love Your Block wants to empower citizens to take an active role in spurring positive change by assisting with project implementation in their community. We are currently looking for volunteers to assist with year round neighborhood improvement efforts. General volunteer responsibilities include shoveling snow, picking up litter, transplanting flowers and shrubs, outdoor painting, spreading mulch/compost, and distributing information and other resources. Tasks can be assigned and modified based on an individual's skills and ability. 

See our current volunteer opportunities below!

Volunteer Activity Date Time Location
None yet, check back with us later!      

Use our Volunteer Registration Form to sign up! If you have any questions, feel free to stop by in-person at 200 Henry Johnson Blvd, Albany, NY 12210, or contact our Love Your Block Fellow, Erin Johanns! 

Donation Requests

Want to donate to the Love Your Block Program? Check out the list below for our donation requests! We have also included corresponding links to provide examples. Donations do not have to be the exact products found in the links. If you would like to donate, please contact Erin Johanns at ejohanns@albanyny.gov or 518-434-5281 prior to purchasing the donation.

Please note: a donation to Love Your Block will in no way affect the likelihood of project selection. Donations will not be considered in any way during the project selection process.

Donation Item Quantity Example Link
Foldable Step Stool 1 https://www.lowes.com/pd/Flynama-5-Light-Height-Adjustable-Modern-Chandelier-Black/5015530671

Large Paint Brushes 10 https://www.lowes.com/pd/Project-Source-Better-Paint-Brush/5015429247

Hot Drink Dispenser 2 https://www.walmart.com/ip/MegaChef-3L-Stainless-Steel-Airpot-Hot-Water-Dispenser-for-Coffee-and-Tea/767069263?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=0

Boiled Linseed Oil 12 https://www.homedepot.com/p/Klean-Strip-1-qt-Boiled-Linseed-Oil-QKLO146/315435742?source=shoppingads&locale=en-US&fp=ggl

Door Open Wedge 2 https://www.walmart.com/ip/Wedge-It-The-Ultimate-Door-Stop-Orange/688260556?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=101025743

Sealing Foam Tape 12 https://www.lowes.com/pd/Unique-Bargains-Sealing-Foam-Tape-8mm-Wide-3mm-Thick-4m-13ft-Long-Self-Adhesive-Weather-Strip-for-Window-Door-Insulation/7842987

Weatherstrip and Caulking Cord 5 https://www.homedepot.com/p/Mortite-19-oz-x-90-ft-Grey-Weatherstrip-and-Caulking-Cord-B2/100152937

Caulking Gun 4 https://www.lowes.com/pd/Project-Source-10-Oz-Rod-Caulk-Gun/5002727809

Resources and Information

Metals in Garden Soil

  1. Lead in Soil
  2. Metals in Urban Garden Soils
  3. Sources and Impacts of Contaminants in Soils
  4. Understanding Test Results

Emergency Preparedness

  1. Emergency Preparedness Checklist
  2. Extreme Heat Preparedness Checklist
  3. Flood Preparedness Checklist
  4. Power Outage Preparedness Checklist

Invasive vs. Native Species

  1. Gardening with Climate-Smart Native Plants in the Northeast
  2. Invasives and Their Native Look-Alikes
  3. NYS Prohibited and Regulated Invasive Plants

Gardening 101

  1. Beginning a Vegetable Garden
  2. Plant Diagnostics
  3. Weed Control for the Home Vegetable Garden

Raised Garden Beds Care Directions

The below directions outline upkeep for wooden and steel raised garden beds installed by Love Your Block. If you have questions, please contact Erin Johanns at ejohanns@albanyny.gov or 518-434-5281.
  • Wooden Raised Beds: stain every other year with linseed oil or another sealant. If maintained correctly, the raised beds can last for 10+ years.
  • Steel Raised Beds: no upkeep, will likely need to be replaced after 3-5 years.

Contact Us

  1. Erins Chosen Photo

    Erin Johanns

    Love Your Block Fellow
    Email Erin Johanns
    Phone: 518-434-5281

    Erin is in her fourth year working for the Love Your Block program, which aims to help Albany residents through neighborhood improvement projects and access to City services and resources. She has a BA in Environmental Studies from SUNY Potsdam and is passionate about environmental justice, building community, and grassroots activism. Erin has a wide range of employment experience from teaching youth, to Contact Tracing, and managing various community gardens. In her off hours, she enjoys gardening, volunteering, reading, and spending time with her cat, Buddy.


Learn More About Volunteering with Love Your Block by watching this webinar


Past Love Your Block Projects 

2024 Love Your Block Projects  

Completed 

  1. West Hill Refugee Welcome Center Block Party, Vacant Lot Restorations, and Resource Distribution - West Hill 
  2. The South End Neighborhood Association Vacant Lot Restorations and Community Board - South End 
  3. Camp 96 Block Party and Longest Table Event - Central Ave Corridor
  4.  Trinity Alliance of the Capital Region Neighborhood Clean Up and Tree Planting - The South End 
  5. Eden's Rose/Albany Victory Gardens Vacant Lot Restoration - West Hill 
  6. New Covenant Christian Fellowship Garden Clean Up - West Hill  
  7. Albany Community Loan Fund Garden Clean Up - The South End 
  8. Ten Broeck Mansion and Neighborhood Association Neighborhood and Mansion Clean Up - Ten Broeck 
  9. Mt. Hope Neighborhood Association Neighborhood Clean Up - Mt. Hope 
  10. Collective Souls Holding Space Peace Pole Installation - West Hill 
  11. North Albany Lawn Ave Neighborhood Clean Up - North Albany 
  12. West Hill Judson Street Neighborhood and Backyard Clean Up - West Hill 
  13. West Hill Second Street Fence Repair - West Hill 

Supported 

  1. Arbor Hill Clinton Ave Individual Home Repairs Continued - Arbor Hill 
  2. Capital District Latinos Courtyard Garden Clean Up - Central Ave Corridor 
  3. Whitehall Park Clean Up and Invasive Species Management - Delaware 
  4. North Albany Bonheim Neighborhood Clean Up - North Albany 
  5. West Hill Livingston Ave Backyard Clean Up - West Hill 
  6. West Hill Wilkins Ave Lead Soil Remediation - West Hill 
  7. New Jerusalem Home of the Saved Church Neighborhood Clean Up - Arbor Hill 
  8. Misc. Residents across Albany for Winter Weatherization, Smoke Alarm and Carbon Monoxide Installation, Trash and Recycling Bin Distribution, Lead Soil Testing, and Bucket Garden Distribution - Includes Arbor Hill, West Hill, North Albany, The South End, Mt. Hope, Pine Hills, and Whitehall

2023 Love Your Block Projects 

Completed

  1. Mt. Hope Neighborhood Association Block Party, Neighborhood Clean Up, and Minor Home Improvements - Mt. Hope               
  2. Neighborhood Stop the Gun Violence Block Party, Vacant Lot Repurposing, and Minor Home Improvements               -  Arbor Hill/ Sheridan Hollow 
  3. West Hill Refugee Welcome Center Vacant Lot and Minor Home Improvements - West Hill 
  4. Wilbur Woods Vacant Lot Ecological Restoration- The Mansion Neighborhood
  5. Eden's Rose Foundation Native Plant Garden - West Hill 
  6. McArdle Ave Neighbors Neighborhood Clean Up and Minor Home Improvements - West Hill 
  7. North Albany Neighborhood Landscaping and Minor Home Improvements - North Albany 
  8. 400's Third Street  Neighborhood Clean Up and Minor Home Improvements - West Hill 
  9. Blessed Sacrament School Native Plant Garden - West End/Central Ave Corridor 
  10. The South End Children's Café and Free Food Fridge program Neighborhood Assistance - The South End 

Supported 

  1. Braids for Grades Vacant Lot Clean Up - The South End 
  2. The Albany Free School Garden and Neighborhood Clean Up  - The South End 
  3. Albany Street Neighborhood Clean Up - North Albany 
  4. North Albany Private Trash and Recycling - North Albany 
  5. Judson Street Neighborhood Clean Up - West Hill 
  6. Park South Tree Boxes - Park South 
  7. Third Ave Neighborhood Clean Up - The South End 
  8. Camp 96 Vacant Lot Clean Up - The Central Ave Corridor 
  9. Capital District Latinos Front Façade Landscaping- The Central Ave Corridor

2022 Love Your Block Projects 

Completed 

  1. Kizzy Williams Cultural Center: Block Party Assistance and Neighborhood Beautification - West Hill 
  2. Judson Street Neighborhood Clean Up and Residential Front Façade  Improvements - West Hill 
  3. A Block at a Time: Myrtle Ave Neighborhood Clean Up, Vacant Lot Activation, and Minor Front Façade Improvement - The Mansion Neighborhood/The South End 
  4. Camp 96 Vacant Lot Repurposing - Central Ave Corridor 
  5. The South End Butterfly Garden Community Information Board and Bench - The South End 
  6. Lark Street Residential Front Facade Improvement - Arbor Hill 
  7. Sheridan Ave Neighborhood Clean Up and Residential Front Façade  Improvement - Arbor Hill/Sheridan Hollow 
  8. Ten Broeck Triangle Community Board installation and Neighborhood Clean Up - Ten Broeck Triangle

Supported

  1. Braids for Grades Vacant Lot Clean Up - The South End 
  2. The Albany Free School: Community Garden Clean Up - The South End 
  3. Catholic Charities Properties: Backyard Clean Up - West Hill 
  4. Lexington Ave Vacant Lot Activation - West Hill 
  5. Livingston Ave Residential Backyard Clean - West Hill 
  6. Beverwyck Neighborhood Association Block Party Support and Neighborhood Clean Up - Beverwyck 

 


Love Your Block In the News

Check out our interviews with Hudson Mohawk Magazine! 

Check out our interview with Spectrum News to learn more about our Winter Weatherization Program!