Hope blooms in JOSANA as Green Visions gives young adults a glimpse of a brighter future
On a crisp November morning in Rochester, Shamar McCray walks through fading flower beds, gathering the last of the season’s blooms. Eight summers ago, he was a young father searching for direction when he joined Green Visions, a workforce program by Greentopia. What started as a summer job planting flowers became a foundation for his future.
Green Visions isn’t just about beautifying spaces—it’s about transforming lives. Through hands-on training, career support, and a strong sense of community, the program helps young adults build confidence and opportunity. For McCray, the lessons went beyond gardening. “I’m these flowers,” he says. “It’s about the attention to detail and the work we put in every day.”
Planting Seeds, Growing Futures: The Impact of Green Visions
On a crisp November morning in northwest Rochester, Shamar McCray walks through rows of withering flower beds, carefully selecting the last of the season’s dahlias, zinnias, and gladiolas. The vibrant blooms stand boldly amid the fading remnants of summer—just like McCray himself, who has grown through seasons of challenge and transformation.
Eight summers ago, McCray was a young father trying to find his way after being released from juvenile detention. A Craigslist ad led him to Green Visions, a workforce development program run by Greentopia. What began as a summer job tending flower gardens became something much bigger—a foundation for a future he never imagined.
A Garden That Changes Lives
Green Visions isn’t just about flowers; it’s about opportunity. Since 2012, more than 150 young adults from Rochester’s JOSANA neighborhood have participated in the program, gaining hands-on experience in urban gardening while earning stipends to overcome barriers like transportation and child care.
But this winter, Green Visions is taking things to the next level. With a newly renovated, 120-year-old house on site, the program is launching year-round classes in landscaping through a partnership with Cornell Cooperative Extension. Participants will gain the skills needed to earn a landscape technician certification—just in time for the busy spring hiring season. And beyond that, they’ll receive support with resume writing, financial literacy, and even obtaining a driver’s license.
“It’s humbling to see the impact that one organization can have on a community,” says Morgan Barry, director of Green Visions.
More Than Just a Job
For many participants, Green Visions is a stepping stone to something greater. Many come in without high school diplomas, stable housing, or a clear direction. They leave with more than just skills—they gain confidence, purpose, and a sense of possibility.
McCray, for one, credits the program with changing his perspective on life. “What it did for me was help me understand what I needed myself to grow—the attention, the watering, the clearing away of debris,” he reflects. Today, he’s an apprentice with a local electricians’ union, with plans to become a journeyman and maybe even get his real estate license one day.
Standing in the flower fields, bouquet in hand, McCray sees a reflection of his own journey. “I’m these flowers,” he says. “I’m the zinnia, I’m the dahlia. It’s about the attention to detail and the work we put in every single day.”
The Bigger Picture
Green Visions isn’t just transforming lives—it’s revitalizing neighborhoods, beautifying the city, and uplifting a generation that’s often overlooked. “This program is valuable to Rochester because it doesn’t just plant flowers, it cultivates futures,” says Lisa Baron, executive director of Greentopia.
And after 12 years, recruitment is easier than ever. The team still walks through the neighborhood, knocking on doors and spreading the word. Looking across the street at a yellow house near the flower farm, Barry points out, “We’ve employed five kids from that house.”
The seeds of change are blooming in Rochester, one flower at a time.
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