Wakullah Street Community Garden
Grant Program:
Boston Grants
Grant Type:
Other Grants
Grant amount requested:
1,500.00
Please provide a brief description of the project for which you seek funding.
I am seeking funding to purchase supplies to maintain the Wakullah Street Community Garden and continue a 48-year tradition of fostering a sense of community ownership and stewardship and to foster the development of a community identity and spirit.The Wakullah Street Community garden has, and will continue to, provide a place to retreat from the noise and commotion of Boston's urban environment by adding beauty to the community and heightening people's awareness and appreciation for living things. The Wakullah St. Community Garden serves as an outdoor classroom where youth can learn valuable skills, like those involving practical math, communication, responsibility and cooperation. They also provide the opportunity to learn about the importance of community, stewardship and environmental responsibility. Youth of the community also benefit from inter-generational exposure to cultural traditions and cultural exchange with other gardeners (including business owners, war veterans, African Americans, Latinos, Whites, young and old folk and educators).
Community gardens offer a focal point for community organizing, and can lead to community-based efforts to deal with other social concerns.
Increasing the consumption of fresh local produce is one of the best ways to address childhood lead poisoning as well as their exposure to chemical fertilizers and pesticides
Restore oxygen to the air and help reduce air pollution
Gardens can be areas for recreation and exercise.
Primary Issue Area:
Food
Please break-down/categorize the program expenses:
| Proposed Item | Estimated $ Amount | Would grant funds be used for this item? |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Gardening tools and a tool shed to house | $1,000.00 | Yes |
| Outreach, including hosting community movies related to sustainable gardening and better eating habi | $200.00 | Yes |
| Community Garden TShirts and novelties to use for our summer campaign | $300.00 | Yes |
Whom does your group need to make this project happen?
Please explain how your group will engage members from your community in this project.
The members of Wakullah Street Community Garden hold garden meetings that are open to the community. We personally invite residents of the community and hold BBQs open to all residents. We also seek out local children, usually bored in the summer, to come work in the garden and will be issuing Wakullah Street Membership Cards (a novelty to engage children).
If your group receives a NEGEF Grow grant, how do you plan to pay for remaining expenses?
Please list these materials or services
Please describe what changes will occur in your community and its environment when your group's project is successful.
The project will help sustain a 48-year tradition of bringing community members together to participate in the garden. The environment on Wakullah Street is rooted in fellowship. This fellowship has been cultivated by our activities and members, and one a large part of that tradition has been the community garden. The biggest change this year would be to provide members of the garden some tools to sccomplish our work. We still weed by hand and borrow tools from neighbors. Many of the tools we have are broken and there are not enough tools to allow many members to participate. This will be the first time, in my knowledge, that the Wakullah Street Community garden will receive resources.
Please list how many people in your community your group expects to actively engage in this project.
20
What relevant skills does the group need (but does not currently have access to) to help move the initiative forward?
We are not experienced in gaining resources currently made available to other community gardens in Boston (water and basic tools).
What relevant skills do current members of the group have to help move the initiative forward?
There is over 150 years of gardening experience amongst the members of the community garden. Members have organizing skills, great communication skills and skills in working with each other to cultivate a wonderful gardening experience.