What is Groundwork Elizabeth? Founded in England in 1979, the Groundwork program engages the public sector, the private sector and the community in addressing challenges in urban communities. more information What type of projects and programs are being done now? Groundwork’s mission is to improve places and in doing so to improve the lives of people within the Elizabeth community and beyond. more information How can I get involved? Groundwork welcomes individual group and corporate volunteers and sponsorships. more information Annual Tour de Elizabeth May 20th, 2012 9th Annual Tour de Elizabeth Application Learn about Career Opportunties in Green Related Fields more information about free class registration Recent Events Groundwork Elizabeth and City of Elizabeth partner in “Urban Farming Initiative, through Green Workforce Initiative Grant Program with Union County College. Starting in March, Groundwork Elizabeth has been working with Union County College on a ‘Green Career’ program, which has its focus on Urban Gardening. The Urban Farming based initiative is composed of classroom study, which will be followed by a group of “hands on” learning sessions at local Groundwork Elizabeth administered “Come Grow With Us” community vegetable and therapy gardens. The program was initiated by a Green Workforce Initiative grant awarded to Union County College’s Business Industry Institute. The City of Elizabeth’s Community Development Block Grant program is also an active partner. Nearly 30 individuals, from high school aged youth to seniors, expressed interest in the program. Classroom study Urban Farming and Urban Gardening are ideas that have surfaced as increasingly important as communities in urban centers look to foster sustainability and healthy living. After being selected for the program, chosen students studied the basics of urban farming, such as selecting space, gathering landscape materials and tools, assessing the right plants for climate and culture, and harvesting production for internal and external use. They participated in group discussions and other classroom activities where ideas were shared and exchanged. Students worked together and then delivered presentations on model gardens in select urban neighborhoods. Chris Bollwage, the Mayor of Elizabeth, and Greg Skelley, Project Manager for the Green Workforce Initiative Grant, visited the program and expressed support to the participants. Curriculum for the program was developed for Groundwork by Aileen Vega, Come Grow With Us Garden Coordinator Jackie Park Albaum, GW Executive Director Jonathan Phillips, and select consultants to Groundwork Elizabeth. Ms. Vega taught the indoor class. Taking the lessons of indoor classes, the next phase focuses on an outdoor internship where the skills from the classroom can be applied in real gardens, such as those maintained by Groundwork Elizabeth’s Come Grow With Us! Community Gardening Program”. Skills gleaned from the Urban Farming course will useful to the employment of program participants in “Green” job programming. Videos and webinars for the curriculum and hands on work will be forthcoming and details will be shared shortly. Come Grow With Us! Green Team Tour de Elizabeth