From the Greenbriar Garden to the JEL Table
A community is more than the place you live. It’s the people that surround you, support you, and whom you support in kind. And while the new, raised garden beds at Greenbriar Elementary may not look like much more than wood and soil now, they are a shining example of what it means to be a part of the Washington Township Schools community.
Dave Voelker has lived behind Greenbriar Elementary School for years. During the COVID pandemic, he recalls watching out his window as cars lined up for food. He was struck by the number of families facing food insecurity in the Greenbriar community. That gave him an idea.
“We’ve got all this space out here,” says Mr. Voelker, gesturing to the open green area behind the school. “I emailed the principal [Fabrice Decaudin] and said, ‘What would you think about putting a garden here?’ Within a half hour, he called and asked when I could meet. He was gung ho about the idea, and I was pretty excited, too.”
A few miles east, students at the J. Everett Light Career Center (JEL) were starting on a new endeavor of their own. The recently launched Building Facility and Maintenance program was kicking into gear, bolstered by support from the Foundation. Students were in the process of learning the ins and outs of the construction trade when a call from Greenbriar arrived.
“They explained they were putting in a garden, and sending some of the vegetables to the JEL culinary students,” says Harold Acton, Building Facility and Maintenance Instructor at the JEL. “And they asked if we could build raised beds for that garden.”
Using supplies and materials purchased with the Foundation funding, the JEL Building Facility and Maintenance students got to work building the beds. Along the way, they learned about proper technique and equipment use, growing their burgeoning construction skills. Some even discovered a possible career path.
“This class has definitely influenced my decision to go into construction,” says Darrion Brown, JEL student. “I like being able to build things, and see them develop into what you want them to be.”
“Construction trades is a high-demand industry,” says Mr. Action. “Students are learning how to work with their hands, and that they can make money doing it. Many of them didn’t know that.”
On October 15, Greenbriar students gathered around to watch the JEL construction team install the beds. Excitement bubbled as the elementary students shared their favorite vegetables and crowded in to help dig and spread soil. For some on the JEL team, the whole experience was a bit of a homecoming.
“I was a student at Greenbriar,” says Jason Ponce, a current JEL construction student. “So it feels nice to be able to build the beds here.”
Neighbor Dave Voelker was also there to watch his vision come to life.
“It’s just so amazing to me to see this all here,” says Mr. Voelker. “It’s a great start for helping the community with food insecurity. And watching all these kids help out, and knowing it will benefit them and the culinary students… it’s so fulfilling.”
“From the Greenbriar farm to the JEL table,” adds principal Fabrice Decaudin.
While the planter beds are mostly empty now, come springtime, Greenbriar students will begin planting thousands of seeds donated by a Washington Township parent. As these plants grow, so will the strength of the interconnected community who made it happen. From a neighbor’s idea to a construction classroom, and a flourishing garden to a student’s kitchen, this project embodies what it means to be a part of the Washington Township family.
“We’re making a big circle,” says Mr. Acton.
The Foundation agrees—and we can’t wait to watch that circle grow.
You can help directly support programs like this one. Click here to learn how.
________
Looking for ways you can support Washington Township Schools? Donate today and help our Foundation support programs to enhance the educational experience for our students and provide resources for MSDWT teachers and staff.
