Committed and Influential Local Citizens
Photo: Gosia Wozniacka, AP
The LGC Executive Director, Kate Meis has seen the difference this can make first hand working in the small rural city of Woodlake in Tulare County with more than 40% of its families, many poor Latino immigrant farmworkers, living in poverty. In 1993, community member Manuel Jimenez and his wife Olga founded Woodlake Pride, a volunteer organization to put youth to work in innovative beautification projects throughout the community. The program aimed to provide a positive outlet for the youth in the community as an alternative to the growing influence of drugs and street gangs. Woodlake Pride created a 14-acre community garden – the Bravo Lake Botanical Garden, the first agricultural botanical garden in California.
The garden has become a point of community pride and a popular gathering place. Jimenez is now working with the City of Woodlake to secure a grant to improve the safety, infrastructure and esthetics of the garden. If the $1 million grant is approved, new restrooms, drinking fountains and fences will be added to the community park. Jimenez was one of three recipients of the California Peace Prize in 2011.
For more information http://www.sfgate.com/homeandgarden/article/Woodlake-Pride-Youths-in-gardens-out-of-gangs-2395289.php
