Clients from the Shepherd’s House Intensive Outpatient Program cleaned up Cowan Park on May 1, after having raised $500 for a community service project.

Roger Fox, program director, said Cowan Park was the first thing he thought of when brainstorming where the clients could work.

“It’s a park that doesn’t get much attention,” Fox said. “We knew that with a little love and care, the park could look completely different, much like the transformation that takes place in our clients’ lives when they get into recovery.”

More than 20 clients pressure-washed the playground equipment, mulched, planted flowers, mowed grass and spruced up the basketball courts, spending about four hours out there.

He said there were kids playing on the playground when the group left.

“It was good, good for (the clients) to see that,” Fox said.

He said the clients at Shepherd’s House feel it’s important to give back because they know the community has given so much to them.

“We are extremely blessed to be able to give back to this community and we hope that the neighborhood surrounding Cowan Park will get good use out of it,” Fox said.

He said Richie Pike of Pike Home Improvements helped by getting money donated from the AmVets Post 123. Pike also worked with a local church to partner with Thrivent Financial to fund the project. Lunch was provided by Boyle County Attorney Lynne Dean, he said, and her office.

Fox said this is not the first project the Shepherd’s House clients have been called upon to do; they’ve worked at the Perryville Battlefield and other green spaces in the community. The clients take pride in being able to help, he said.

“We are extremely proud of our clients and this community. We love the opportunity to do community service,” he said.

Anyone with a community service project is encouraged to call the office at (859) 209-4242 and speak to Hilary Blevins.

“We’d be glad to talk about it and see what we can work out,” Fox said. “Some don’t work out logistically, trying to get everyone there. But we’re hard workers. Our clients are willing to work.”