problem/needs & target population
Roxborough is a working-class community situated in Northwest Philadelphia County. Approximately 35,000 citizens reside within the 5.7 square miles that define its borders. The population is mostly white but there are also black, asian, hispanic and multi-racial populations, though much smaller than the white population. There is a blend of ancestries present in Roxborough: 25.2% of residents identify their ethnicity or ancestry as Irish, 21.8% identify as Italian, 12.9% as German, 6.3% as Polish, 3.5% as Asian and 1.9% identify their Yugoslav ancestry. English is the predominant language spoken in this community and Italian is the second most frequently spoken language. A considerable portion of the population, nearly 30%, have less than a high school education. A generation of citizens whose roots were established decades ago remain here to watch their children and grandchildren grow, yet today, the community's children are being under-served by under-performing local public schools. Roxborough residents have made it clear that an issue of concern was the need for more free, outdoor activities for children to keep them physically active and creatively stimulated.
assets
Anticipated assets used for Gorgas Garden:
1. Gorgas Park (garden is located on park grounds)
2. Friends of Gorgas Park (non-profit associated with park)
3. Stanley's (supply/donate tools, materials)
4. Weavers Way Community Programs & W. B. Saul HS (for farming consulting, expertise)
5. Local businesses (for marketing and fundraising)
6. Local residents (as volunteers, fundraising projects, marketing, gardening knowledge)
7. Roxborough Development Corporation (marketing, grants)
8. Weavers Way Co-op (environmental grant opportunity)
1. Gorgas Park (garden is located on park grounds)
2. Friends of Gorgas Park (non-profit associated with park)
3. Stanley's (supply/donate tools, materials)
4. Weavers Way Community Programs & W. B. Saul HS (for farming consulting, expertise)
5. Local businesses (for marketing and fundraising)
6. Local residents (as volunteers, fundraising projects, marketing, gardening knowledge)
7. Roxborough Development Corporation (marketing, grants)
8. Weavers Way Co-op (environmental grant opportunity)
vision
We envision healthy children, a healthy park, and a healthy community.
mission statement
Gorgas Garden teaches children valuable life tools such as teamwork, pride in one's community, healthy eating choices, and land stewardship through a collaborative, hands-on urban-agriculture experience.
project summary
Gorgas Garden is a community project that benefits the children of Roxborough. This project aims to meet some of the critical needs not currently being met fully at their local public school. Gorgas Garden will revive the abandoned community garden in Gorgas Park, Roxborough's unofficial community center. This project aims to involve children from within the community (elementary age up to high-schoolers) of all abilities and genders as "gardeners." Adult volunteers, including responsible young adults, would be project leaders who oversee the work of the young gardeners.
Surveyed residents showed initial support and interest in involving children of Roxborough in maintaining the community garden in Gorgas Park. Participants of all ages will have a physical, hands-on learning experience in nature, will learn land stewardship and teamwork, and the value and beauty of Gorgas Park will be enhanced for all community members.
Surveyed residents showed initial support and interest in involving children of Roxborough in maintaining the community garden in Gorgas Park. Participants of all ages will have a physical, hands-on learning experience in nature, will learn land stewardship and teamwork, and the value and beauty of Gorgas Park will be enhanced for all community members.
people & leadership
Within the community:
The individuals, organizations, and local businesses identified as stakeholders in Roxborough will be involved in marketing, enlisting volunteers and participants, donating money, time and supplies, and gardening expertise.
Within Gorgas Garden:
The success of the program will rely on committed volunteers from the community. Lauren Todd, the Program Director, will oversee the coordination of volunteers and child leaders.
The individuals, organizations, and local businesses identified as stakeholders in Roxborough will be involved in marketing, enlisting volunteers and participants, donating money, time and supplies, and gardening expertise.
Within Gorgas Garden:
The success of the program will rely on committed volunteers from the community. Lauren Todd, the Program Director, will oversee the coordination of volunteers and child leaders.
timeline
Gorgas Garden will be an 8 month project with 5 months of programming involving activities with children. Starting in March, program volunteers and the program director will evaluate Roxborough's needs and available assets and stakeholders for funding, volunteer, and donation opportunities. A team of volunteers and child participants will be recruited during the same time that an advertising campaign will begin. Hands-on work in the garden will commence in May and will continue through September. The project and its monitoring will conclude in September. Program staff will then evaluate Gorgas Garden, share its successes with stakeholders and the community to encourage volunteer and child interest and participation as well as illustrate how their donations were handled effectively.
budget
The total budget expenses for the first year of the Gorgas Garden project is $1450. The project director and volunteers aim to raise an additional $950 dollars worth of in-kind donations to contribute to project expenses. We rely on individual contributions, in-kind donations, grants, and fees to run the program.
monitoring & evaluation
The Program Director and volunteer program leaders will monitor and evaluate the objectives of Gorgas Garden in all of its stages through documenting attendance, knowledge-based quizzes, arts-based activities, pre- and post-assessments, observation, interviews, photo-documentation and surveys. These monitoring tools will chronicle the children's acquired skills and increased knowledge. The objectives will be closely evaluated and the findings will be shared with stakeholders to maintain or encourage their support and interest in involvement in the Gorgas Garden project.
sustainability
Gorgas Garden plans to continue successful, sustainable practices in teaching and training, planning, collaborating and funding. Our program will continue to be flexible in its approach; dropping ineffective practices and constantly seeking to be more efficient and effective with our time and resources. After closely monitoring and evaluating our project's first year, we are planning for program sustainability by focusing on training volunteers and child leaders, increasing the utilization of social media for our benefit, joining in strategic collaborations with local stakeholders and assets, and creatively expanding our funding plan and resources.
additional items
Gorgas Garden has identified five potential barriers to change. These barriers should be carefully considered in the planning and implementation of the project.