A Greener Laurelton Actualized

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The Laurelton Farmers Market

In the past 5 months COVID-19 has surfaced to the forefront of communities of color, the issue of food insecurity. Laurelton  earned its name from the flower (the laurel) and when developed was marketed as a “Garden Community”.Anyone who visits the community can see the lush lawns and beautifully manicured landscapes. Merrick Boulevard does not meet that standard. While Laurelton has beautiful greenery, access to health food options is lacking. Two new initiatives are launching to directly address the issue of food insecurity: The Laurelton Farmers Market & The Garden Of Resilience

 

The Laurelton Farmers Market

 

On Saturday, August 15, 2020 The Laurelton Farmers Market will launch at The Laurelton LIRR station, located at 141st Rd. , between 224th and 225th Street. The market will feature approximately 14 vendors and will run for 10 weeks every Saturday from 10-2PM. The Laurelton Farmers Market is lead by resident Dianna Rose, a community leader in environmental justice and health. Rose is providing a platform for entrepreneurship and sustainability for a more just community. You can get more information about the market at: laureltonfarmersmarket@gmail.com

DIVAS for Social Justice and Operation Clean Up have founded the first community garden in Laurelton/Springfield Gardens. After almost two years of hard work the stewards are launching The Garden Of Resilience. The Garden Of Resilience will grow free vegetables that will be made available to the community for free. In addition the green space will feature a recycled gallery wall and provide access to technology through interactive exhibits made available for free. Local schools will be encouraged to utilize the space as well. If you are interested in joining the garden, fill out an application at: https://bit.ly/386iyHD

 

The Garden Of Resilience is thriving after planting a month ago for the first time!

A more green and sustainable community is possible with all of our supports and efforts.

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Clarisa James
Clarisa James is the Co-Founder/Executive Director of DIVAS (Digital Interactive Visual Arts Sciences) for Social Justice. For the past seven years DIVAS has provided free or sliding scale technology training to youth in underserved communities in Central Brooklyn and Southeast Queens. Ms. James has been dedicated to youth development work for the past 15years in the roles of Teaching Artist, After School Director, Curriculum Specialist and artist. Her life's work encompasses empowering youth in underserved communities to use technology for social change and think critically about the issues that are affecting them most. For the past seven years Ms. James has facilitated workshops that help youth develop multimedia projects around environmental justice, housing, leadership development and reproductive justice. Ms. James holds an MFA in Integrated Media Arts from Hunter College's Film & Media Department. In addition to DIVAS for Social Justice, Ms. James currently serves on the advisory board of the Children’s Cabinet, Office of the Deputy Mayor Strategic Policy Initiatives at City Hall. Clarisa James is full of gratitude to her parents for providing such a wonderful upbringing and having the foresight to move into the community of Laurelton in the early 1970's. Clarisa is proud to be a daughter of Laurelton.

1 COMMENT

  1. Hello. I was very excited to see the Laurelton Farmers Market banner in the LIRR parking lot today. Sadly, I missed the opening date, but will be an active supporter in the weeks to come. I am also interested in joining the The Garden Of Resilience. I went to the website, https://bit.ly/386iyHD, as directed but was not able to find the aforementioned application.

    Please provide directions for accessing this application.

    Thank you.

    Beverly G. Matthews

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