Title
Honoring and recognizing community garden leaders for their stewardship and service on the occasion of Earth Day 2021.
Body
WHEREAS, The crisis of climate change continues to threaten the health and wellbeing of the planet and the citizens of Philadelphia; and
WHEREAS, Hundreds of thousands of Philadelphians struggle with food insecurity, which has only worsened with the COVID-19 pandemic; and
WHEREAS, The City of Philadelphia, but primarily its Black and brown communities, is experiencing a gun violence crisis; and
WHEREAS, The COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately impacted communities of color; and
WHEREAS, Philadelphia's immigrant communities struggle to access resources due to language barriers, the digital divide, and other structural challenges; and
WHEREAS, Community gardens address all of these challenges by creating safe, community-driven green spaces where residents can grow fresh, nutritious food, gather with neighbors, and partake in physical activity and skill building; and
WHEREAS, Community gardens are operated across the City by community leaders who work to address community needs through gardening; and
WHEREAS, City agencies, non-profits, community-based organizations, and individuals invest resources to provide community gardeners with supports needed to continue their positive impacts in their neighborhoods; and
WHEREAS, Holly Street Neighbors Community Garden is a living memorial to honor its founder Winnie Harris, who was tragically murdered in February 2017; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Winnie Harris was a pillar in her West Philadelphia community and an advocate for creating greener, better educated communities, free of gun violence; and
WHEREAS, The Holly Street Neighbors Community Garden has been an official community garden for over fifteen years, but the plots have been used by community members for decades; and
WHEREAS, The Holly Street Neighbors Community Garden makes plots available to beginners and opens their do...
Click here for full text