AROUND THE REGION GARDEN continued from Page 8 with her to the weekly meetings on nutrition along with the chefs’ demonstrations. “Gardening’s different from what the children usually do,” said Forney, 35. “The older ones aren’t too interested but I always grab the little ones with their parents’ permission. This garden has been a breath of fresh air. It’s something that they get to enjoy and it costs little to nothing,” said Forney, a cosmetologist. Since Ronnie Webb, a community organizer, and Joelle Robinson, a public health professional, founded The Green Scheme in 2011, it has helped residents in five communities east of the Anacostia River, including Benning Terrace and Wheeler Ter-
race in Southeast, start their own gardens as part of a project touted Code Green. In 2013, The Green Scheme secured a $114,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and received 17 fruit trees compliments of the Northeast-based nonprofit Casey Trees. Webb, president of The Green Scheme, said that he hopes that residents will use the skills they learned long after volunteers leave. “The people of Lincoln Heights built these gardens,” said Webb, 28. “When we eventually leave the community, their garden committee can keep it going. We don’t just educate them about the merits of healthy eating. We also show them how to self-advocate,” said Webb who lives in Northeast. WI
PASTORAL VACANCY Rehoboth Baptist Church is accepting Pastoral Application Packets. Please call the church office to obtain the packet. 202-561-1111. Deadline, June 30, 2014. Rehoboth Baptist Church, 621 Alabama Avenue, SE Washington DC 202-561-1111
Darryl Perkins, 30, talks to a group of children and adults about how to make nutritious fruit smoothies during a weekly meeting at the Lincoln Heights Family Enhancement Center in Northeast on June 4. /Photo by Sam P.K. Collins
GUESS WHO’S
TURNING 50? The late Dr. Calvin W. Rolark, Sr. with daughter and publisher, Denise Rolark-Barnes.
Founded in 1964 by Dr. Calvin W. Rolark, Sr., The Washington Informer has a rich legacy of uplifting our community. 2014 will be a landmark year for the Informer and we want you to be part of it! In anticipation of our upcoming 50th Anniversary Celebration in October 2014, we’ll be hosting events throughout the year. Stay connected with us for details on exciting sponsorship opportunities and ways you can get involved.
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The Washington Informer
June 19, - June 25, 2014
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