Americorps, USF and residents spruce gardens

Americorp helps Bayview.  Photo: Rika Kruse

Bayview's skies were blue, and the smiles on the ground were plentiful as the open space and gardening projects in the Quesada Gardens Initiative network got a lot of much needed loved on Saturday, October 27th. 

Volunteers got busy on Quesada, Bridgeview, Latona, Palou and Griffith.  Between weeding, planting and building, participants shared thoughts about why being involved in community building matters. 

The partnership event was a confluence of Americorps, University of San Francisco's Service-Learning Program, and Quesada Gardens Initiative's weekly volunteer day in the heart of Bayview.

Neighbors were thrilled to see all the willing helpers.  Ann and Clincy came by from 4800 Third.  Kathy, Rika and Sharon joined in at the Bridgeview Garden.  Carla, Cody, Joel and Mary, Rita, Jacob and Tom helped lead the day.  And, in a stand-out effort, Chris Waddling made big deliveries of free top soil and manure to projects throughout the neighborhood.

Americorps volunteers were hardworking and spirited, and seemed to pick up on Quesada Gardens Initiative's community building mojo.

The USF service-learning group has been working with Quesada Gardens throughout the school semester.  It is one of many such student groups that has partnered with QGI, but is proving to be among best of them all.  In addition to work in the gardens, students have helped launch the new Quesada Gardens General Store.