Prolonged Peace

Prolonged Peace:

The peace promoted through the establishment of the community garden will be sustained through the profit that the communal garden plot yield. One plot in the garden will be reserved for the organization; these yields will be sold at local farmers markets during the summer and also to local restaurants. The profits will be used to sustain the costs of the garden in coming years. After establishment the garden will also join the New York City Community Garden Coalition, where further fundraising and grants will be available to ensure the prolonged permanence of the garden.

Additional efforts to ensure the permanence of the garden will include a program certifying garden volunteers through the completion of attendance at two lecture series and a fulfillment of a set number of hours in the garden. The certification will allow them unrestricted access to the garden and grant them authority to train other less experienced community members in urban gardening. The main objectives of the certification program are to establish a greater sense of achievement among residence and increase involvement in the garden over a prolonged time period.

The permanence of the garden will provide residents with meaningful activities to aid their transition into the community. The garden will channel attention into progressive activities making it less likely that community members will become involved in harmful activities that fuel crime and violence, detracting from the peaceful balance that is necessary for resettled refugees to flourish.

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[1] Hevesi, Alan G., Bleiwas, Kenneth B. “Staten Island: Economic Development and the State of the Borough Economy”. Office of the State Comptroller and NYC Public Information Office. March 2005, www.osc.state.ny.us

[2] Kim M, Van Wye G, Kerker B, Thorpe L, Frieden TR, The Health of Immigrants in New York City, p 17