New Community Garden Established at Judah House
On Friday, May 18, 2012, Judah House had an open house and community garden ground breaking ceremony at their location in north Hartford. About 70 people joined Corendis Dawson-Bonner, Executive Director of Judah House, to celebrate this exciting event. Many of those in attendance represented organizations that contributed to making this community vegetable garden a reality. Matthew Ritter, State Representative from the 1st District, presented citations from the State of Connecticut honoring five of the people/organizations who were most active in establishing this new community garden at Judah House. Corendis says, “The citations thanked those who were honored for their commitment to the project as well as to Judah House and the Hartford community.”
Dane Kostin was honored for giving the start up funding for the garden project through a non-profit he established called Jessie Community Garden. Jessie’s Community Garden was established in honor of Mr. Kostin’s late daughter, Jessie, who loved life and loved gardening. Judy Brenner was honored for her volunteer efforts in proposing, planning, and maintaining the garden. Judy is continuing to help educate the women of Judah House and others in how to make the most of this new garden. Erin Fletcher was honored for her contribution in educating the women of Judah House about gardening and horticulture in the weeks running up to the establishment of the garden, rallying volunteers for the actually planting of the garden that took place on May 16-17, and helping with the on-going support of the garden. Jodi Gonzalez, house manager for Judah House, was honored for helping to find the donations that aided the establishment of the garden. Finally, the Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford was honored for providing funding and support.
Friday, May 18th was just the beginning though, Corendis has big hopes and plans for how this community garden can help the women of Judah House and the north end of Hartford. She hopes it will be a way of teaching women and kids healthy eating habits and healthy food preparation. She is already talking to a local grocery store about producing a product for retail. She is looking for ways to partner with local employers for support and job opportunities for the women of Judah House. Lastly, Corendis hopes it will lead to the re-establishment of a farmers market at Vine & Albany.
To see more photos of the planting and presentations, click here.
To see a list of all the supporters that helped make this new garden project possible, click here.
Dane Kostin was honored for giving the start up funding for the garden project through a non-profit he established called Jessie Community Garden. Jessie’s Community Garden was established in honor of Mr. Kostin’s late daughter, Jessie, who loved life and loved gardening. Judy Brenner was honored for her volunteer efforts in proposing, planning, and maintaining the garden. Judy is continuing to help educate the women of Judah House and others in how to make the most of this new garden. Erin Fletcher was honored for her contribution in educating the women of Judah House about gardening and horticulture in the weeks running up to the establishment of the garden, rallying volunteers for the actually planting of the garden that took place on May 16-17, and helping with the on-going support of the garden. Jodi Gonzalez, house manager for Judah House, was honored for helping to find the donations that aided the establishment of the garden. Finally, the Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford was honored for providing funding and support.
Friday, May 18th was just the beginning though, Corendis has big hopes and plans for how this community garden can help the women of Judah House and the north end of Hartford. She hopes it will be a way of teaching women and kids healthy eating habits and healthy food preparation. She is already talking to a local grocery store about producing a product for retail. She is looking for ways to partner with local employers for support and job opportunities for the women of Judah House. Lastly, Corendis hopes it will lead to the re-establishment of a farmers market at Vine & Albany.
To see more photos of the planting and presentations, click here.
To see a list of all the supporters that helped make this new garden project possible, click here.