On August 14, 2025, CCC and Downtown Portland Clean & Safe came together for the 16th annual Clean and Safe Appreciation Day, a celebration of the hard work and impact of all the individuals who help keep downtown Portland clean, safe, and welcoming. During the event, several people were recognized with awards, including two exceptional members of our Clean Start team. This year, we are excited to celebrate Devin Castaneda and Kam Corbus as the 2025 Cleaners of the Year.
Through a six-month program, CCC’s Clean Start participants gain job training and mentorship while working across the Portland metro area to remove graffiti, trash, needles, and other biohazards. The crew also partners with Downtown Clean & Safe to respond to cleaning requests in the city’s downtown core. Alongside this hands-on work experience, individuals are connected to peer mentors and CCC’s wraparound services, which include supportive housing, health care, substance use treatment, and employment support. By combining steady work opportunities with holistic services, Clean Start helps people build stability while contributing to a cleaner, safer Portland.
In 2024, our cleaners removed over 6.02 MILLION pounds of trash from throughout the Portland metro region and over 92,150 needles!
It’s One of My Favorite Events of the Year!
“Every year, we get to celebrate these amazing folks who make up our Clean Start program and it’s one of my favorite events of the entire year,” said President and CEO Dr. Andy Mendenhall.
“The reason for this is simple. It’s about celebrating each of these amazing folks taking a deep and personal journey of their own. It’s about change, growth, personal transformation, and recovery. It’s about hope, and the truth that every member of this team, just like every person in our community who is still struggling, matters. Each of you matters to our community, to CCC and most importantly, to each other.
Two individuals who truly stand out are Devin and Kam.
I’m grateful to have a chance to show my appreciation to Devin and Kam who are on the ground, every day cleaning up and tending to our streets and making authentic connections with members of our community. Their remarkable efforts and unwavering commitment have made a significant impact on our team and operations.
Today, we’re honored to be celebrating you both as Cleaners of the Year!”
Meet the 2025 Cleaners of the Year
Devin Castaneda
Devin Castaneda is a dedicated employee at Clean Start who has transformed his life through hard work and determination. Born in California, he spent his childhood moving between different cities, from Southern to Northern California, and eventually settling in Portland in 2001. After struggling with addiction for many years, Devin made a powerful decision to turn his life around, achieving sobriety on March 1, 2023, and proving that it’s never too late to change your path.
Currently working as a street crew janitorial worker, Devin drives a truck, picks up blue bags, and even removes graffiti using an electric vehicle. He appreciates his job at Clean Start. The program has provided him with stability, trust, and an opportunity to rebuild his life. Devin values the supportive environment where he doesn’t feel judged and can focus on his personal growth. Outside of work, Devin keeps things simple. He spends weekends with his mom, doing chores like mowing her lawn and cooking meals.
His goals are straightforward but meaningful: stay sober, save money, and potentially own a small property someday. Devin’s story is a testament to resilience, showing that with the right support and personal commitment, anyone can overcome significant challenges and create a better future for themselves.
Kam Corbus
Kam Corbus is a hardworking and humble person who has made major changes in his life. After years of cycling through the justice system and selling drugs, he committed himself to turning things around with honesty, discipline, and dedication. Nearly three years into his sobriety, Kam now works two jobs in Portland, Oregon—one as a driver and street crew member at Clean Start, and another at Oasis Treatment Recovery Home.
A graduate of drug court and former probationer, Kam has rebuilt his life by focusing on routine, fitness, and supporting others in recovery. He spends much of his free time weightlifting and staying active, and he values a simple daily rhythm of work, gym, and time with his girlfriend and close-knit Portland family.
Kam’s commitment shows in his work. In more than two years at Clean Start, he has missed only two days of work and has worked every holiday except Christmas. His dedication earned him recognition as Clean Start’s Cleaner of the Year. Above all, Kam values family, honesty, and helping others who are working to change their lives.
His advice: stay patient, be humble, and trust that good opportunities will come with time and hard work.
“What’s the city we want to see and be a part of? How can we turn Portland into a higher performing, high standard city? I can tell you, it’s manifested. It’s explained by just looking out and seeing who I see right now, the ambassadors, the clean and safe individuals. You are the tip of the spear for helping us turn the city around, and I’m grateful to be before you right now.” – Mayor Keith Wilson
