Volunteers clean community garden in honor of Yale's inauguration of president
NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) — For Yale University's Day of Service, volunteers gathered in New Haven to clean up a community garden in honor of the university's inauguration of its new president.
About 15 volunteers with the Yale Alumni Association, United Way of Greater New Haven, and Gather New Haven rolled up their sleeves to tidy up the Ward Street community garden.
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'United Way of Greater New Haven is partnering with Yale Day of Service to celebrate the inauguration of President McInnis, 24th president of Yale,' Katy Giffin, United Way's volunteer and engagement coordinator, said. 'This is day two of Community Day. We were also out at two different sites Saturday.' morning'
The focus for the group on Wednesday included cleaning raised beds, pulling weeds, and trimming greenery.
'I'm really just looking forward to getting my hands in the garden and helping to beautify this amazing space and working with my colleagues to give back,' said Liz DeRosa, a volunteer and employee at Yale's Poorvu Center for Teaching and Learning.
Gather New Haven says the garden has two purposes: providing community access to healthy foods, while serving as a BIPOC (Black Indigenous People of Color)-led incubator for people who want to farm, but don't have the funds to purchase land.
'We need to think about where our food comes from,' said executive director Jonathon Savage. As an 80s baby, he says he was 'kind of one of the last generations who were kind of like brought into growing and grew up in New Haven, when most of the yards had gardens in the backyard and there were fruit trees everywhere. So, just trying to make sure that we continue that legacy.'
The Ward Street garden is one of 44 community gardens in New Haven. Savage says people will be able to start planting crops this month.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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