Have you ever heard of Green City Force? If you haven’t, then you have now. Green City Force is a non-profit organization whose mission is turning New York City into a “green” one by gardening and farming throughout the five boroughs. Starting out in 2010, their first eco-house was built in Red Hook, Brooklyn in 2013, shortly after the tragic Sandy Hook incident. Their initiative to grow and provide fresh produce for the city targets NYCHA, where they give out free fruits and vegetables to residents and low-income communities on a weekly basis. “We’re picking them when they’re ripe and you’re getting it the day of. It doesn’t get any fresher than that,” says Service Coordinator Rosana De Leòn. By prioritizing NYCHA residents and low-income communities, they become a beacon for better eating and healthier alternatives which is considerably helpful as far as the inflating prices of groceries of today.
Not only is their mission focused on helping low-income families, but they’re also a pathway for kids of the ages 18-24 to get jobs within urban agriculture or sustainability. Assisting teens that may have hesitant thoughts or may not have the resources to obtain a higher education. Every six months, they recruit kids who are interested in learning more about job training where they walk out or “graduate” with several certifications that can help with getting a career in something they care about. With this cycle of recruitment and job placement for young kids, Green City Force is “Helping them understand that college may not be the right path for everyone and there’s other options available for anyone who can join”, says Forest Houses site supervisor and service coordinator, Marc Diaz.
Wooden benches beside the garden’s green house inside Forest Houses, September 27th, 2024. Photo credit: Kevonna Fowler I chose this as my establishing photo because it shows majority of the garden and where it’s located within Forest Houses.A group of Green City Force employees preparing soil for their next bed of crops in the garden inside Forest Houses, September 17th, 2024. Photo credit: Kevonna Fowler I chose this as my signature photo because it introduces the program, who they are and what they do.Service Coordinator Rosana De Leòn preparing soil in the garden inside Forest Houses, September 23rd, 2024. Photo credit: Kevonna Fowler I chose this as my portrait because it’s a candid of her working and it’s showing her face. A yellow butterfly perched on wooden soil, September 23rd, 2024. Photo credit: Kevonna Fowler I chose this as my close- up photo because I was proud to get a close-up of a butterfly due to them rarely staying still.A Green City Force employee working the green house of the Forest Houses garden, September 23rd, 2024. Photo credit: Kevonna Fowler I chose this photo as my how-to photo because it shows how they maintain the garden.A basket of green peppers and broccoli on a wooden table next to vented crates, September 27th, 2024. Photo credit: Kevonna Fowler I chose this as my compositional photo because there is a lot of textures and the colors are very rich.Green City Force employees giving out produce to residents at their farm stand, September 27th, 2024. Photo credit: Kevonna Fowler I chose this photo as my interaction because it shows the community engagement with the program through the farm stand.Green City Force employees having a meeting in the garden inside Forest Houses, October 1st, 2024. Photo credit: Kevonna Fowler I chose this as my clincher photo because it looks like they’re regrouping and preparing for the next day of tasks.
I came to visit my mother at her house, September 13th, 2024. She was cleaning a mess made by the toddler she babysits. My friends and I went to the beach last Saturday, September 14th, 2024. This is my friend Sin playing with the water. This is my friend Chris skateboarding behind his building at night, September 18th, 2024. He’s been teaching me how to skateboard.
If you’re a New Yorker and still on the search for the perfect bacon, egg & cheese sandwich, then come down to Pamela’s in the Bronx on 165th street. I was met with Marciel Espinosa, who’s been working at the store for 6 years now, and got to know a little more about this local deli. The store was built 30 years ago in 1994 and owned by a woman name Pamela. Marciel, a 31 year old Dominican woman, tells me that she used to be waitress at many other restaurants before working at Pamela’s. When I ask her why she enjoys working here she says with a smile, “I love serving and talking with the people.” I like to come here and get a hot sandwich, as well as other things that I need because it’s super close and gives great service. If you come to Pamela’s, tell them the girl in pink sent you.
