our transformative collaboration
Growth of Purpose
Our introduction to the young people of the Sasha Bruce Barracks Row Drop-in Center initiated a relationship that has dramatically expanded our mission to include changing lives. In 2022, we began a collaboration with Sasha Bruce Youthwork to transform and activate the underused asset of the outdoor space of Sasha Bruce House at 1022 Maryland Avenue NE and establish a program to support its vital work.
The goals we hoped to achieve were help this underserved and at-risk population recognize and identify new opportunities and options, develop vocational and entrepreneurial skills, learn about food and nutrition and reduce food insecurity for them and their families.
Interns of a pilot program funded by a grant from the Capitol Hill Community Foundation for Sasha Bruce clients and various volunteer groups under the direction of Guerrilla Gardeners of Washington DC cleared extensive shrubbery overgrowth and invasive plants species from the grounds and flower beds. Fruit trees were pruned and raised vegetable beds rejuvenated to prepare for the next growing season.
In April of 2023, the Sasha Bruce Landscape and Urban Agriculture Program, funded by a True Inspiration Grant from Chick-fil-A kicked off with the first project: emptying an outbuilding of accumulated debris to serve as program headquarters and a base of operations. Onelife Fitness of Capitol Hill donated lockers for use by the interns - most of whom faced housing instability - for their work clothes, tools and personal belongings.
The Garden Shed was then filled with new and donated tools and supplies along with battery-powered EGO equipment, including a mower, edger and leaf blower. For the next seven months, interns learned basic flower and vegetable gardening techniques and landscaping skills. Flower beds were weeded and replanted with pollinator species and flowering shrubs. New trees were planted to improve the canopy. A garden accent wall was completed and ornamental shade gardens were established as part of the landscape design component of the program. Raised vegetable beds in the Bruce Farm Urban Agriculture Campus were planted with tomatoes, peppers, eggplant and squash, resulting in an abundant harvest. Flower propagation beds were created to supply Asian lilies and gladiolus for sale at street markets.
The inaugural program year concluded on Saturday, October 21, 2023 with volunteers from Comcast and others joining the interns for Tulipalooza!, planting 4,500 bulbs that bloomed in the spring of 2024.
Trained up and ready to work!
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Sasha Bruce Landscape and Urban Agriculture Program
Refuge for Youth in Crisis
For nearly five decades, the Sasha Bruce House at Maryland Avenue and 11th Street NE has provided refuge for underserved youth in crisis from abuse or homelessness.
Activating an Underused Asset
The property surrounding the Sasha Bruce House serves as the training ground for interns.
Landscaping and Garden Design
Interns learn landscaping and gardening techniques while improving the grounds of Sasha Bruce House.
Urban Agriculture
Interns plant vegetables Bruce Farm to reduce their food insecurity and flowers to sell at street markets to increase self-sufficiency.
tulipalooza!
zinniamania!
the love rocks project
We asked children of a local elementary school to paint rocks with messages of encouragement for the young people who come to Sasha Bruce House to find refuge. These rocks have been placed in the gardens alongside the steps leading to the front door.
We hope to add many more rocks in the coming year.
volunteer crews
National Student Leadership Forum
National Student Leadership Forum
National Student Leadership Forum
Volunteers from the National Student Leadership Forum painted Love Rocks and worked with our landscape interns for two sessions of SBY "Good Neighbor" cleanups in June and July 2024.
Travis Manion Foundation
National Student Leadership Forum
National Student Leadership Forum
Volunteers from the Travis Manion Foundation came to work on Bruce Farm on Veterans' Day 2023, doubling the number of vegetable beds (now 8).
Pew Charitable Trust
Pew Charitable Trust
Pew Charitable Trust
Volunteers from Pew Charitable Trusts weeded and mulched in October 2023.
Goldman Sachs
Pew Charitable Trust
Pew Charitable Trust
During a joint event with the Potomac School, employees of Goldman Sachs installed landscape fabric and planted pollinators in September 2023.
Potomac School
SBY Leadership Council
SBY Leadership Council
During a joint event with employees of Goldman Sachs, students from the Potomac School installed landscape fabric and planted pollinators in September 2023.
SBY Leadership Council
SBY Leadership Council
SBY Leadership Council
Members of the Sasha Bruce Youthwork Leadership Council weeded and edged the sidewalk areas surrounding Bruce House in July 2023.
Deloitte
SBY Leadership Council
Grace Covenant Church
More spirited weeding and deforestation in June 2023.
Grace Covenant Church
DC Spartans Michigan State U Alumni
Grace Covenant Church
Volunteers at the Spring Service and Social in May 2023.
National Cathedral School and St. Albans
DC Spartans Michigan State U Alumni
DC Spartans Michigan State U Alumni
More spirited weeding and deforestation in May 2023.
DC Spartans Michigan State U Alumni
DC Spartans Michigan State U Alumni
DC Spartans Michigan State U Alumni
More spirited weeding and deforestation in September 2022.
SBY Community Impact Council
SBY Community Impact Council
SBY Community Impact Council
Vigorous weeding followed by a cookout in August 2022.
Lee's Family & Friends
SBY Community Impact Council
SBY Community Impact Council
Lee asked his friends and family to volunteer for his birthday in June 2022.
Booz Allen
SBY Community Impact Council
Booz Allen
A team from the Booz Allen Law firm volunteered in May 2022.
Care First
Care First
Booz Allen
Care First sent a weeding and planting crew for Earth Day in April 2022.
White dawes selected for Sasha bruce Youth choice award
Dawes led the program he developed along with Guerrilla Gardeners
White Dawes, program manager of the the Sasha Bruce Landscape and Urban Agriculture Internship Program received the Youth Choice Award at the 2023 Sasha Bruce Gala.
