“Whatever career choice you choose, just know it has its ups and downs but stick to it and you will achieve your goals. GCF will always be there to help out.”
Melinda Figueroa
Graduated: 2021, Cohort 21
From: St. Mary’s Park, The Bronx
Current Position: New York Botanical Garden Bronx Green-Up Apprentice
As the community gardening outreach program of The New York Botanical Garden, Bronx Green-Up provides horticulture education, training, and technical assistance to Bronx residents, community gardeners, urban farmers, local schools, and community organizations. The program is the visible presence of the Botanical Garden beyond the Garden’s gates, inspiring NYC residents to get involved in improving their communities through greening projects.
Describe your current role. What does your typical workday look like?
“Helping [community members] and assisting community farms and gardens in the Bronx. [I’m] in and out of the office, doing workshops or volunteer work for gardens/farms in the Bronx, maintenance and sending emails.”
Tell us about your career pathway. How has your GCF experience helped you?
“GCF has given me the knowledge of pest management, plant identification, harvesting, transplanting, weeding and so much more [including] basic horticultural skills as well as community outreach.”
What advice do you have for current Corps Members and other Alumni?
“Whatever career choice you choose, just know it has its ups and downs but stick to it and you will achieve your goals. GCF will always be there to help out and so would I.”
Achievements at GCF:
In addition to ”being able to complete the program…during the Tree Inventory project we were able to get funding after presenting to stakeholders, as well as being the person to collect the most trees in the HTHC [Healthy Trees, Healthy Cities] app.”
What’s your favorite GCF memory?
“Harvest Festival!”
GRADUATION TESTIMONY:
“I was interested in GCF because I saw that there were many opportunities for me. GCF wasn’t just a job, it was a place to grow and gain experience. Before I got accepted into the program I was staying home looking for employment, however it was difficult because I had no experience and no one wanted to take a chance on me. I’m thankful for GCF because not only did they teach me a lot and start my career, they gave me a chance when no other company or job wanted to.”
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