GrowUp! Community Garden (Gardening Resources of Woonsocket Utilizing People)
The GrowUp! Community Garden is a youth-led community project that seeks to grow into a sustainable and unifying resource that will become a stable and significant source of produce for the community’s local food pantries. It is our desire that it become a desired destination and resource for the entire Woonsocket RI community.
About You
Section 1: You
First Name
Tracy
Last Name
Abrams
Website URL
Organization
Family Resources Community Action
Country
United States, RI
Section 2: Your Organization
Organization Name
Family Resources Community Action
Organization Website
Organization Phone
401-766-0900
Organization Address
245 Main Street, Woonsocket, RI 02895
Is your organization a
Non‐profit/NGO/citizen sector organization
Organization Country
United States, RI
Your idea
Name Your Project
GrowUp! Community Garden (Gardening Resources of Woonsocket Utilizing People)
Country and state your work focuses on
United States, RI
Describe Your Idea
The GrowUp! Community Garden is a youth-led community project that seeks to grow into a sustainable and unifying resource that will become a stable and significant source of produce for the community’s local food pantries. It is our desire that it become a desired destination and resource for the entire Woonsocket RI community.
Website URL
Innovation
What makes your idea unique?
The GrowUp! Garden, conceptualized by area youth in 2008, is a unique partnership of Family Resources Community Action and several other community organizations and agencies including the YMCA of Greater Woonsocket, The RI Food Bank, the City of Woonsocket, Franklin and White Barn Farms, The Workforce Partnership of Greater RI and RiverzEdge Arts project. The garden promotes positive change and community involvement, including education, leadership opportunities and career exploration for youth and adults in northern Rhode Island.
Do you have a patent for this idea?
Impact
This Entry is about (Issues)
What impact have you had?
The GrowUp! Garden has successfully pulled together community stakeholders to help develop this much-needed community resource. In its first season in 2009, the project tapped volunteers to build 16 raised beds and plant and grow produce for the community and local food banks. Area residents and businesses donated thousands of dollars worth of labor and materials, and, due to federal stimulus funding, 15 youth were employed to work in the garden throughout the summer. The majority of youth who worked in the garden were from low-income families, and they and their families were able to receive produce through the garden. Other volunteers contributed that first season, include employees from Koch Eye Care, who built and erected a reading pagoda on the edge of the garden and RiverzEdge Arts Project youth who designed and installed art work made from recycled steel. The second season has seen a surge in volunteers from across the community willing to pitch in. Over fifty volunteers from area youth groups, high schools, colleges and local families participated in the April 24th Garden Preparation Day, weeding, painting, raking and rototilling to prepare for the Garden Planting Day. The project has secured foundation funding as well as other donations from local businesses, thanks in large part to volunteers who have sought community support.
Problem
Woonsocket’s median income has remained the third lowest of RI cities and towns; 31.8% of families with children under 18 in Woonsocket have incomes below the poverty level (Census 2000).The GrowUp! Garden was initiated in response to a 2008 community needs assessment conducted by area youth in which 67% of the resident respondents noted a concern about the rise of current food costs; 52% felt that the cost of food had a big impact on their daily lives, 69% indicated that a community garden would benefit the City of Woonsocket, and 40% indicated they would personally benefit from a community garden. In addition to addressing the need for affordable produce, the project provides an opportunity for youth leadership development, career exploration, community service opportunities and community development.
Actions
The GrowUp! Garden is continuing to cultivate community volunteers to invest their time, energy and passion to making this community resource the best it can be. In order to ensure the garden is a sustainable resource, we are looking to create an Advisory Council comprised of community residents and leaders that can continue the work of the GrowUp! Garden. In addition, we hope to build on the current Youth Council to increase the number of local youth who are actively engaged in the garden project. We will also continue to seek funding from foundations and other sources in order to sustain the garden and expand the youth development employment/career opportunities. We are encouraged by the spirit of those who have already lent a hand and are hopeful that the garden will be sustained through the continued hard work of the volunteers and partners.
Results
Due to the continued involvement of the Garden partners and more than 50 volunteers, we expect to have a successful harvest of the GrowUp! Community Garden in 2010. We expect to have all of the 16 raised beds from last summer and 9 new beds “adopted” by area individuals and families, and to plant and grow a range of produce in the main garden for the local food pantries. Due to a grant from the Woonsocket Rotary, we plan to add benches and potted plants to beautify the Reading Pagoda area. We expect to maintain a solid volunteer base, and also hope to be able to provide a summer employment opportunity for local at-risk youth to develop leadership skills.
What will it take for your project to be successful over the next three years? Please address each year separately, if possible.
For this coming year, 2010, success will depend on the continued involvement of GrowUp! Garden partner organizations and agencies, local youth and community volunteers. We will need to create an Advisory Council comprised of community members and organizations that are committed to the long-term sustainability of the project, and will need to continue to grow the Youth Council, providing an opportunity for local youth to have a voice in the sustainability and direction of the garden. We hope to learn from the experience of this year, and build on its success for 2011. A longer-term vision for 2012 and beyond is to create the groundwork for the development of a Farmer’s Market at the GrowUp! Garden that could be an additional resource of high quality produce for the Woonsocket Community. In addition to pounds of produce cultivated, success will be measured by the number of youth who are actively engaged in the Garden, and who are able to develop life-long skills in leadership.
What would prevent your project from being a success?
As stated, the project’s success will depend on the continued involvement of community partner and volunteers, so a decrease in interest or involvement would have an impact on the project. As a community garden, a degree of success as far as output is mother nature. Last year the tomato blight that struck many local gardens had in impact on the quality and yield of the produce. This year the plan is to secure plants from reputable nurseries to avoid those kinds of problems.
How many people will your project serve annually?
101‐1000
What is the average monthly household income in your target community, in US Dollars?
$1000 - 4000
Does your project seek to have an impact on public policy?
Yes
Sustainability
What stage is your project in?
Operating for 1‐5 years
In what country?
United States, RI
Is your initiative connected to an established organization?
Yes
If yes, provide organization name.
Family Resources Community Action
How long has this organization been operating?
1‐5 years
Does your organization have a Board of Directors or an Advisory Board?
Yes
Does your organization have any non-monetary partnerships with NGOs?
Yes
Does your organization have any non-monetary partnerships with businesses?
Yes
Does your organization have any non-monetary partnerships with government?
Yes
Please tell us more about how these partnerships are critical to the success of your innovation.
The success of the GrowUp! Garden is due greatly to the support and involvement of many local organizations. The Greater Woonsocket YMCA donated the land upon which the garden is built, and has continued to support the garden through allowing us to use the land. The City of Woonsocket has provided through tapping the City water supply for the garden, and Franklin and White Barn Farms and the University of Rhode Island have lent their expertise which has contributed greatly to the design and success of the garden.
What are the three most important actions needed to grow your initiative or organization?
The continued involvement of community partners, the involvement of community volunteers including youth and adults, and the oversight of both an Advisory Council and Youth Council will be key elements to ensure the continued success of the project. The GrowUP! Garden is truly a community project that needs the support of the community. Having community partners and volunteers fully invested in this project is key to maximizing the garden’s production and its capacity to be seen as a unifying community resource. The successful development and implementation of both an Advisory Council and Youth Council will be paramount to sustaining the solid foundation on which this project has been built.
The Story
What was the defining moment that led you to this innovation?
The defining moment for this project was the involvement of area youth who, struck by the level of poverty in the community of Woonsocket, had a desire to make a difference. Local youth have been actively engaged since the garden’s inception.
Tell us about the social innovator behind this idea.
As mentioned, many individuals were involved in the development of the garden, beginning with local youth, ages 14-17, who led a research project during the summer of 2008. These youth, working with the guidance of the Family Resources Community Action YouthWorks411 staff, studied the interest, need, type, location and funding required to create a community garden. They developed a survey and sought input from nearly 100 area residents on the need for a community garden. The youth were struck by the level of poverty in the community and became committed to doing something to make a difference in the community. With the spark lit by the local youth, the idea for the GrowUp! Garden took root. The involvement and support of the many community partners and volunteers has enabled the project to grow from idea to reality.
How did you first hear about Changemakers?
Newsletter from Changemakers
If through another, please provide the name of the organization or company
50 words or fewer
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