ABOUT US

We transform our communities
as we transform our lives.

Part of a Greater Mission

As a social enterprise of Cara Collective, Cleanslate is more than just exterior maintenance. We transform communities by finding motivated job seekers to create cleaner, safer streets. As part of this mission, hundreds of workers can be found in our neighborhoods each year, unlocking their power and purpose.

Where We Work

Cleanslate takes pride in our work and our neighborhoods. We connect with communities and businesses in need of services – like litter abatement, graffiti removal, snow removal, and more – and pair them with a dedicated crew to make that goal a reality. We’re always looking to expand our reach and bring meaningful employment to our communities. From the South Shore to Gary, Indiana, we are here to get the job done.

Working Together

You know your community’s needs, and we know how to get the job done right – and with a smile. We want to be a service the neighborhood can rely on, as much a part of the community fabric as the corner store. We see our neighbors as more than customers, they are true partners.

The Cleanslate Story

2005

Cleanslate was founded in 2005 by Mark Carroll, a former Managing Director at Goldman Sachs, who was awarded a year-long fellowship to help a social purpose organization. Inspired by Cara and the work done by The Doe Fund in New York, Carroll helped launch our flagship social enterprise, Cleanslate, and so began our exterior maintenance business designed to transform lives while transforming communities in the process.

2006

Cleanslate introduces landscaping and snow removal services and is hired by our four-pillar customers: Greater Auburn Gresham Development Corporation, Quad Communities Development Corporation, Illinois Medical District, and Uptown United.

2008

Big Buzz Idea Group hires Cleanslate to provide services at Ribfest Chicago, launching our special event services. We are also honored to receive the New Communities Program Community Heroes Award from LISC Chicago.

2010

We create our 1,000th job!

2013

We receive our first suburban contract with Oak Lawn — establishing ourselves as a neighborhood presence that helps restore community pride all across the Chicagoland area.

2016

We proudly become a part of the REDF National Portfolio of Leading Social Enterprises, a venture philanthropy that invests exclusively in social enterprises that employ and empower people overcoming barriers to work.

2017

We launch Ward by Ward, a sponsorship model that brings Cleanslate crews into neighborhoods most impacted by violence and poverty.

2019

We launch a new partnership with Hesed House to bring Cleanslate to Aurora, continuing our goal of spreading our job creation and beautification services throughout the area.