Utilizing a New York State Department of Environmental Consecration grant we were able to remove the fence around the Smith St. and Whitney St. property to create home base for program in the heart of the JOSANA neighborhood. Removing the fence also opened garden to the JOSANA community Purchased the house adjacent to the garden on Smith St and Whitney St in JOSANA. This purchase completed the 1 acre campus in JOSANA at gardens. Developed pilot partnership with The Nature Conservancy. This partnership allowed us to create the Community Blooms Garden, an acre lot on Joseph Ave. Partnership with Joseph Ave Business Association was also very important in creating the garden. The Green Visions program is the only urban partnership with The Nature Conservancy outside of NYC. Started to sell bouquets in Penfield and Webster Wegmans along with East Ave Wegmans. Partnered with the Golisano Foundation and Edison Career and Technology High School. Allowed our program to expand to I/DD youth. 20% of program participants were I/DD youth. Bought three additional contiguous vacant lots to original Smith St. and Whitney Garden space on Smith and Whitney became close to 1 acre 15 youth from the JOSANA neighborhood again Purchased original lot from the City of Rochester 15 youth program participants Started to sell flowers at the Rochester Public Market weekly Started to sell bouquets at East Ave Wegmans and Hart’s Local Grocery The Farash Foundation invested in Green Visions allowing the program to double in scope Were granted use of a lot across Smith St for garden space. Able to hire 15 youth, almost twice than the previous year. Both young men and women Brought back program graduate Tiani Jennings as Site assistant. First time that graduates were involved in leadership. First year of the program One vacant lot at corner of Smith St. and Whitney St. in the JOSANA neighborhood Eight students enrolled, all girls 5 program graduates One trip to Rochester Public MarketGreen Visions Timeline
2020 – COVID Challenges and Campus Upgrades
2019 Green Visions Campus
2019 – Joseph Avenue Sunflowers and the Nature Conservancy
2017 – Edison Tech & Golisano
2016 – Expanding the Green Visions Campus
2015 – Public Market and Wegmans!
2014 – Program Doubles in Size
2013: Our First Year
2021