“If there’s a long road ahead of you, once you take that first step you’ll realize you’re already at your destination; so put one foot in front of the other and keep going.”
Avonis Sam (he/him)
Graduated: 2024, Cohort 26
From: Brooklyn
Current Position: Assistant Gardener, Brooklyn Botanic Garden
Brooklyn Botanic Garden (BBG) is an urban botanic garden that connects people to the world of plants, fostering delight and curiosity while inspiring an appreciation and sense of stewardship of the environment. In the Garden, in its community, and well beyond, BBG inspires people of all ages through the conservation, display, and enjoyment of plants; with educational programs that emphasize learning by doing; and with research focused on understanding and conserving regional plants and plant communities.
Tell us about your current role and daily responsibilities:
“Typical garden work including: mowing the lawn, weeding, pruning, mulching. Depending on my rotation/part of the garden I’m working in, it’s usually weeding and pruning/deadheading plants.”
Describe your career pathway. How has your GCF experience helped you?
“At the career fair GCF invited some representatives over from the BBG and in that moment I was hooked because I never thought I would be able to work some place I used to go on field trips as a kid. There was an internship available while I was still serving my term but it was closed a couple months after and was sad to hear, but when I finished my term GCF let me know that they had new positions open so then I applied. Before GCF I actually did want to work a green job; I tried getting into NYC Parks but GCF was recommended to me and I wanted to work in construction. I would like to stay in the green field or jobs that are not in the green field but where certain skills can be applied. My GCF experience has properly prepared me for the job I’m in now and what I would like to do in the future.”
What advice do you have for current Corps Members and other Alumni?
“Be kind and supportive of others but more importantly yourself. Also, if there’s a long road ahead of you, once you take that first step you’ll realize you’re already at your destination; so put one foot in front of the other and keep going.”
Achievements at GCF:
“Making friends who I would call family, learning how to harvest, and graduating!”
What’s your favorite GCF memory?
“Spending time with my team.”
GRADUATION TESTIMONY:
“Green City Force has proved to me that the work that we do has meaning and we have acquired the knowledge and skills to improve ourselves. Before Green City Force I got caught up in a family situation so looking for jobs had to be postponed. When the time came around, I found out about GCF and I’m glad I took the opportunity. During my term the most important thing I learned was if you don’t have good team chemistry, things just wouldn’t flow right. I would like to thank my Service Coordinator Israel for always keeping me on track and giving me the feedback and encouragement that I needed. I would also like to thank Career Services for the knowledge and support and my team for supporting me and being the best teammates I could ask for.”
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