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Garden Sets Stage for Low-Income Community Access to Healthy Produce and Entrepreneurial Experience
More than 100 volunteers from local nonprofits Veterans Green Jobs, YouthBiz, and Engage 8, and corporate sponsor Weston Solutions, Inc. (WESTON®), will create a community garden dedicated to military veterans and their families in the Five Points area of Denver on June 20. The 5,700-square-foot garden, designed in collaboration between the three nonprofits and WESTON, will provide fresh produce and health, wellness and entrepreneurial educational opportunities for the Whittier, Cole, and San Rafael neighborhoods. These northeast Denver neighborhoods are known as part of the city’s Northeast Food Desert Region as its lower income residents and homeless veterans have limited access to grocery stores and produce markets.
At the event, more than 100 volunteers will pour concrete, build 24 raised vegetable beds, fill compost, spread mulch, plant fruit trees, complete fencing, and install a courtyard and benches.
Event details for “WESTON and Veterans Green Jobs Make a Difference”:
Date: Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Time: 1:30-4:30pm (with Veteran Dedication Ceremony to take place upon completion of courtyard)
Location: 3280 Downing St., corner of 33rd Ave. and Downing St. in Five Points, Denver
Organization spokespersons who will be on-site:
Veterans Green Jobs: Bill Doe, CEO; Kynnie Martin, volunteer program manager
WESTON: Patrick G. McCann, president and CEO; John Glabach, manager, Rocky Mountain Region
YouthBiz: Brandy Bertram, executive director; Amber Roberts and D’Vonte Johnson, youth leaders
Engage 8: Tony Pigford, executive director
Media have been invited to attend.
Photos and additional event information may be found on Facebook.
About Veterans Green Jobs
Veterans Green Jobs is a national nonprofit whose mission is to engage, transition and connect military veterans with meaningful employment opportunities that serve our communities and environment. With programs in eight states, Veterans Green Jobs offers training and hands-on experience, directly employs veterans, offers entrepreneurial opportunities and offers a national job placement model. See http://www.veteransgreenjobs.org for information. Join Veterans Green Jobs on Facebook.
About Weston Solutions
Based in West Chester, PA, Weston Solutions, Inc. (WESTON®) maintains full service offices in Lakewood and Colorado Springs. WESTON is a leader in environmental, sustainable, and energy solutions, property redevelopment, and design/build construction. Dedicated to making a difference in the world, the company’s 1,800 people reach out from 60 offices around the globe to build strong stakeholder relationships that work. WESTON has been responding to its clients’ toughest problems for more than 50 years. For more information about WESTON or subcontracting opportunities, visit http://www.westonsolutions.com.
About YouthBiz
YouthBiz advances the social and economic prosperity of youth. Despite the very real challenges these youth face, they choose to define themselves by their vision and tenacity, not by the stereotypical norms. As they connect with entrepreneurial leadership opportunities, they develop the skills and courage to launch the businesses that will fuel our economy and shape our communities. WWW.YOUTHBIZ.ORG.
About Engage 8
Engage 8 was founded on the premise that all the assets to create a sustainable, thriving, safe, and vibrant community already exist in the northeast Denver community – the missing ingredient was collaboration by existing entities focused on a collective impact. Today, the mission of Engage 8 is to enrich and empower residents of District 8 by supporting their ideas, building upon their strengths, sustaining existing community organizations, encouraging civic activity and developing innovative initiatives. Learn more at http://www.engage8.org.
Filed under: Community Arts, Education, Environmental Impact, Get Involved, Residential Living
