From John Curran:

Hello All, 

Here are photos from the University of Rochester Gandhi Institute Alternative Spring Break. During the previous week the students participated at a variety of sites including Grow Green (275 Dr. Samuel McCree Way), St. Joseph's House of Hospitality and Partners in Restorative Initiatives. They concluded their week's activities at St. Monica Church where they potted seeds to grow flowers for a variety of southwest Rochester community floral gardens. About 140 pots were prepared for subsequent transplanting in mid-May throughout the southwest quadrant in floral gardens created at reclaimed vacantlots.

When the students finished at St. Monica they gathered invasive grapevines from the west Riverway bicycle trail near the Riverview apartments.

On May 26th, a different group of UofR students will process the grapevines further for drying and subsequent wreath-making craft activities for urban youth in a City-run program.

Special thanks to these generous community-minded UofR students, the Blooming Optimists ministry at St. Monica for hosting them and the City of Rochester for donating potting soil.

John Curran

P1010346.JPG Front table: adapting milk cartons for sunflowers at St. Monica

P1010348.JPG Recycled pots plus kitty litter trays and seeds from Dollar Store; cost effective

P1010349.JPG refreshments

P1010350.JPG Work stations ready

P1010353.JPG Potting soil donated by City

P1010354.JPG Preparing seeds for planting

P1010355.JPG Good-to-go nasturtiums

P1010356.JPG Gandhi Institute members participated in a full-week variety of tasks locally.

P1010357.JPG Seedlings will go to southwest gardens at reclaimed vacant lots.

P1010358.JPG Half-gallon milk cartons to be adapted for growing sunflowers.

P1010359.JPG Faye: activity coordinator

P1010360.JPG Alternative Spring Break UofR participants

P1010361.JPG easy-to-store and transport

P1010362.JPG At St. Monica church narthex space

P1010363.JPG Place sparkled when finished

P1010364.JPG adding water

P1010365.JPG When finished, 140 pots were ready.

P1010352.JPG Gloves for later cleanup & vine-gathering

P1010367.JPG Gathering invasive grapevines along west Riverway trail near Riverview student housing

P1010368.JPG Vines gathered from here will be used for wreath-making projects for youth conducted by City Recreation.

On May 26th, fifty students from the UofR will process these vines at another location for drying and subsequent use by youth for crafts activities.

P1010369.JPG Vine-gathering plus debris removal along west Riverway. Vine removal aids river vista. Old tires removed.

P1010370.JPG Potted seedlings to be transplanted in southwest quadrant gardens in mid-May

P1010371.JPG Easy-to-transport reusable materials getting sunlight and warmth in a home setting.

P1010372.JPG A wide variety of flower types will enhance southwest Rochester flower gardens at reclaimed vacant lot sites.