Manar Aljebori
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
UROP Fellowship: DCERP
Research Mentor(s): Raquel Garcia, Executive Director
Research Mentor Institution/Department: Southwest Detroit Environmental Vision
Presentation Date: Thursday, July 29th
Session: 5:30 – 7:00pm
Breakout Room: DCERP Showcase
Abstract
Hello, My name is Manar and I am a rising junior studying BCN. I worked with Southwest Detroit Environmental Vision this summer.
One of the projects I took on with their Land and Water department was the community garden. Located in an old parking lot in Southwest Detroit, Cadillac Urban Gardens has been able to give back to the community for almost ten years. In 2020 alone, 1.9 tons of fresh and free produce was generated and distributed to Detroiters. Led by their Environment & Community Sustainability Specialist, highschool workers, and community volunteers, Cadillac Urban Gardens has become a model for sustainable gardening and a place for community members to enjoy.
I spent my Thursdays weeding, staking, and harvesting all while interacting with neighbors and groups who visited the garden. My favorite part of working in the garden was the first hand interactions I had with the people of Southwest Detroit. Through these chats I got to connect with so many Detroiters on a deeper level. Our casual talks turned into mentoring sessions, history lessons, and even some neighborhood life hacks. I realized that the garden is much more than just a food sovereignty project, it is a place for community members to talk, listen, and learn from each other.
This week our main event, the garden party, is taking place. Local vendors, artists, organizations, and community members come out to enjoy a day of food (made with CUGM veggies), music, and celebration. I have helped plan this event since my first day with Southwest Environmental Vision and am so excited that it’s almost here!
I am so thankful for everything that the Southwest Detroit Environmental Vision team, my mentor Raquel, and the Southwest community taught me over the summer. Going forward, I know I will be much more appreciative of all the work non profit organizations do and how they really bring communities together.
One of the projects I took on with their Land and Water department was the community garden. Located in an old parking lot in Southwest and using repurposed metal as plant beds, Cadillac Urban Gardens has been able to give back to the community for almost ten years. In 2020 alone, 1.9 tons of fresh and free produce was generated and distributed to Detroiters. Led by their Environment & Community Sustainability Specialist, highschool workers, and community volunteers, Cadillac Urban Gardens has become a model for sustainable gardening and a place for community members to enjoy. I spent my Thursdays planting, weeding, staking, and picking at the garden all while interacting with other community members and groups who volunteered at the garden. My favorite part of working in the garden was being able to meet and learn from people who grew up in Southwest Detroit. Through these chats I got to connect with so many Detroiters on a deeper level. Our casual talks turned into mentoring sessions, history lessons, and even some neighborhood life hacks. I realized that the garden is much more than just a food sovereignty project, it is a place for community members to talk, listen, and learn from each other. This week our main event, the garden party, is taking place. Local vendors, artists, organizations, and community members come out to enjoy a day of food (made with CUGM veggies), music, and celebration. I have helped plan this event since my first day with SDEV and am so excited that it’s almost here! I am very thankful to have had the opportunity to intern at SDEV and meet so many great people.
