A group of volunteers led by James Galloway picked up more than 20 bags of trash on April 23. Courtesy | Facebook

James Galloway is homeless, and he has been leading residents and fellow homeless people in cleaning up the city.

Galloway decided to take action when Councilman William Morrisey said he was concerned about trash in the woods around town at a Jan. 17 council meeting.

“I relayed those concerns directly to people staying in the woods,” Galloway said. “The following weekend we homeless worked together to bag 30 massive contractor bags of trash from the woods.”

Since then, Galloway has also led cleanup projects along the Baw Beese Trail and in Mrs. Stock’s Park. Volunteers collected more than 120 bags of trash, he said, and the City of Hillsdale’s Department of Public Services helped pick up the bags.

A group including former Professor of English Michael Jordan, Hillsdale Community Thrift Director Missy DesJardin, Austin Christie,  John Jarrell, Liz Wilson, and Galloway met on April 23 to clean up trash near downtown. They picked up more than 20 bags from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., according to a Facebook post.

Galloway has been homeless since October 2022, and said he was inspired to serve the community after staying at the Share the Warmth shelter in Sozo Church. There he met the shelter’s director, Penny Myers, whose support eased his crisis at the time.

According to Galloway, doing seasonal yard work for the owners of Rough Draft and residents in town also encouraged him to become active.

“The showers, laundry, food, shelter, and warmth at Share the Warmth directed by Penny Myers was a crucial element,” Galloway said. “With money from a job and momentum from the dignity of work, I was in a position to take a risk and become involved in community affairs.”

Galloway said he informs people about the cleanup projects by word of mouth and through Facebook. He has also set up a website called zeroing.in to raise awareness and funds for the projects.

Galloway said he has received positive feedback from City of Hillsdale Police Chief Scott Hephner and Sgt. Steve Pratt, as well as residents like Elizabeth Schlueter and Jordan.  Galloway also noted support from others he met at the shelter.

“They were instrumental in the early going and have remained supportive,” Galloway said. “Joseph Caudill arrived at Share the Warmth later on and provided quality labor and inspirational support.”

According to Caudill, his own background of battling addiction inspired him to help others and give back to the community.

“While at the warming center, I shared my idea of picking up trash with a man named James Galloway,” Caudill said. “We ended up going out together that weekend, and since then, I have volunteered for more than 80 hours, not only picking up trash but also helping out other places.”

Like Galloway, Caudill said he involves Hilldale’s homeless community in cleaning up the city.

“I believe that everyone can make a difference, regardless of their circumstances. The trash we see on the streets is often left behind by the former homeless, but not always,” Caudill said. “It’s a small effort, but I believe it contributes to reducing depression and crime rates, and creating a positive environment for everyone.”

Galloway said he has mixed feelings about the city council’s April 17 consideration of a public camping ban, but the cleanup efforts have already prompted someone to offer space on private land.

“Other community members heard the alarms and saw a need they could fulfill, and there was a camp ready on private property for folks to go to,” Galloway said. “So this new camp is already a step in the right direction.”

According to Galloway, he plans on cleaning the wooded area by West and Fayette streets, and along the St. Joseph River.

“This is the beginning of spreading some dignity into the homeless community,” Galloway said.  “That’s a key concept of what is occurring, the spreading of dignity.”