We need your help to expand an urban garden and transform and under-utilized corner into a beautiful and fruitful space for education. At 18 Chestnut St, a dozen nonprofits serve Worcester residents in a collaborative hub. The former smoking-area is a remanent of a bygone era, and already our partner, Southeast Asian Coalition, has started the process to beautify this area with a garden. Continuing on their trajectory, Ascentria's raised-bed, urban garden space will be designed by our SNAP-Education team for longevity and will become an extended classroom where our clients including refugee families, teen parents, older adults, and individuals with addressing barriers can gather, learn, and grow together.
We’re looking for volunteers who want to get their hands dirty and help lay the groundwork for this project. Whether you’ve gardened for years or have never picked up a shovel, we welcome your support.
What You’ll Do:
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Weed and clear the area to prepare the space for raised beds and future plantings
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Help level the ground by hand, making it safer and more accessible
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Lay landscape fabric to prevent future weed overgrowth
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Assemble raised garden beds, including a donated, accessible tabletop-style bed that will allow clients with mobility challenges to garden comfortably
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Bag and dispose of yard waste or assist with on-site composting (we’ll have a dumpster if needed)
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Help create a welcoming, beautiful entryway for clients and community members visiting 18 Chestnut Street
What You’ll Be Part Of:
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A project that builds community pride and connection
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A new educational space for English learners, youth, and elders to grow vegetables and herbs
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A model for inclusive, urban greening in the heart of Worcester
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A garden that reflects the resilience and contributions of the diverse individuals Ascentria serves many of whom bring deep agricultural knowledge from their home countries
