April has been a busy month for PLASE! As long-time volunteers know, we’re involved with a number of greening activities and we kicked off our efforts for the year this month!
Back in March we got exciting news from the Parks and People Foundation that we were awarded a Community Greening Grant to enhance the garden at our permanent housing facility on S. Calverton St. The House Manager, Rita Wilson, and I have been eagerly planning the next phase of the gardening project there. We got to work April 9th with the help of an awesome group of first year dental students from the University of Maryland. With the students’ hard work we were able to get the ground ready for planting. The following weekend a group of students from Towson planted some lovely flowers that really brightened up the neighborhood. Towson students went the extra mile and cleaned up trash and debris scattered about the neighborhood in the recent rainstorms.
Garden Harvest is also back in gear! For those of you new to PLASE, Garden Harvest is a non-profit that partners with organizations to bring fresh, organic, locally grown produce to individuals who don’t have easy access to such healthy food. PLASE clients, staff, and volunteers plant and maintain a plot at the Garden Harvest farm to ensure our clients are receiving fresh fruit and vegetables. On April 17th a group of AmeriCorps volunteers came out to the farm to start getting our plot ready for planting. Unfortunately, the rain prevented them from getting much done and we still need lots of help getting ready to plant!
A group of volunteers joined us for the University of Baltimore’s service day on April 15th. They took on the messy task of spring cleaning one of PLASE’s properties on St. Paul St. Our maintenance department greatly appreciated the help with cleaning and trash removal!
Another great volunteer group from the College of Notre Dame came April 17th and prepared dinner and activities for the women in our transitional housing unit on North Ave. Both the students and residents enjoyed the chance to bond over a good meal.
Last but not least, a special shout out to our many regular volunteers who continued their efforts in April. These folks tutor residents, offer art classes, help staff keep up with their paperwork, assist in fundraising and event planning, and many other activities that keep PLASE running.
What a month!
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