Project Proposal

II.                  Proposal:

In order to empower the community and add to the growing success of resettled Liberian refugees we wish to establish a community garden that will create a source of nutrition, a sense of self-reliance and a small income stream for the members of Park Hill’s refugee and low income community. The garden will be placed on the rooftop of the 185 Park Hill apartment complex, home to the African Refuge Community Center. Permission to use the space has already been granted by landlord, Dr. Darshan Shah. The initiative will be community led, drawing from local volunteers for help with construction, agricultural advisement and creative design. Members of the community have already expressed an interest in participating in the project, and Executive Director of local nonprofit African Refuge has offered expertise from his Liberian agricultural background.

The garden will also provide for discussion on agriculture and nutrition. In order to foster such discussion we have set up a designated time slot during work days dedicated to guest lecture. The organization Just Food, a New York based nonprofit aimed at educating city dwellers on agriculture, will come in to present at a preliminary informational session in late march. Other lectures will not only draw on outside resources but also draw on the expertise of the community which heralds a strong agricultural legacy.