Some of the 40+ positive reviews of CommunityGrow on the GreatNonProfits website-2009:
http://greatnonprofits.org/reviews/org-reviews/community-grows/
Suzi—
“There is no other organization like this in the City! They are instrumental in bringing together community in the context of urban gardening. HVNPG effectively and creatively serves a diverse community while connecting with local schools, public housing, neighborhood groups and local merchants!”
Min—
“I’m personally grateful not only to have Koshland Park at hand to do my Qigong and Tai Chi in but also to Barbara for initiating our group’s original qigong class meetings at the park. They’ve led to an ongoing qigong and tai chi study group (newcomers are always welcome to drop in at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday mornings.)”
KTN247—
“Where there was nothing, now there are beautiful parks and a lovely neighborhood destination. There work raises the spirit of the whole neighborhood, from passers by to the students they work with.”
vintage1—
I have frequent occasion to be in the area of Koshland Park. I have seen it evolve from a downtrodden place to a thing of beauty. It is quite heartening to be in the park and watch all the activity that goes on there. I find it especially pleasing to see all the children and young people who are planting, playing, and otherwise enjoying the benefit of nature in the middle of the city. The tiled wall couldn’t be more pleasing to the eye.
Judith—
“The hands-on lessons that they give to neighborhood children about gardening, harvesting, and preparing healthy organic food will impact generations to live a healthy life. A very noble and committed organization.”
Thomario—
“I am witness to the vast improvements that have taken place over the years. Our park is well maintained, fun, safe and a constant pleasure to visit. I have met wonderful and colorful neighbors and have had the opportunity to be involved with many beautiful neighborhood activities. I can not conclude without mentioning the “peace wall” which for me symbolizes the hope that has survived and prevailed in this neighborhood through the years. Continued success to the HVNPG – thanks to all for making this one of the best neighborhoods in our magical city.”
Gail—
“With Barbara’s leadership over the years, the Hayes Valley Neighborhood PARKS Group has made a major impact on the lives of the people who live here. Our children are finding purpose in their lives by nurturing seedlings and gardens. The gardens the residents maintain as volunteers fill them with pride. All residents, young and old, are finding common ground and ownership in taking back our neighborhood from years of neglect. This HVPG organization has played a key role in showing the way-how to provide a vision, create the plan, and lead the people. May other city garden organizations learn from the master!!”
Bobbie—“
CommunityGrows is a wonderful addition to the community, and you can tell the kids really love the programs. The staff is smart and devoted to the cause, continually growing and adding programs that help the neighborhood.”
Elizabethse—
“Some of the things I worry about the most: the environment, food security, poverty and its impacts of families, community breakdown and violence, not enough support and help for our kids, education—all of these things are solved by this little neighborhood group with the big impact. I keep wishing this organization could win millions of dollars and expand their program to thousands of kids. Teaching kids to plant food in the community garden, then to harvest it and cook healthy meals. It sounds simple but it is the basic building block of a healthy society—it could be the start of a peaceful revolution!”
Candy Williams
I’m a BEET Ranger in the BEET Ranger program—“We garden, we help the community. I like it cause I get to help the community and I get to plant and get experience with planting. I like it. I like it and I love it.”
Elyn—
“I have been following this organization since its inception more than a decade ago. The force behind it is Barbara Wenger. She has renovated two parks on my street and been instrumental in the development and stewardship of two others. Over the years she has helped thousand of people young and old with her Peace project culminating with the installation of the Peace Wall on Page and Buchanan streets. Through out these years she has always had a special concern for youth, and the environment. You only need to look at the teaching garden at Koshland Park to see how important it is to her. Her organization is embedded at John Muir Elementary School. CommunityGrows pays the salaries of garden educators who teach all grades, an expansive curriculum based in the garden. I have watched her in cramped home office working seven days a week for years on end…. She deserves awards, recognition, and everything good.”
Ivory Peterson
I volunteer, helping with the planting, and they’ve helped my daughter through the BEET Ranger program —“Working with CommunityGrows is fun, it’s exciting, and it’s never a boring day with them. They keep you doing things. They work with kids a lot and it’s a really good program. They help kids like my daughter stay off the streets and learn how to work.”
Skgardens—
“I love CommunityGrows! They provide me with the opportunity to get my hands dirty, to watch seeds become plants, to be a part of something bigger.”
David—
“We manage a public and affordable housing development that has benefitted from working with communitygrows. Our residents are sometimes overlooked and/or alienated given the socioeconomic status of many people that live around them, and the parks group has helped them stay connected and involved.”
Diana Arsham, Donor—
“Long term excellence of neighborhood involvement and enhancement. Truly a model that sustained mindful effort pays off. Barbara Wenger and her students deserve more awards.”
Nicole Krasinski—
CommunityGrows (formerly“The Hayes Valley Neighborhood Parks Group brings beauty to our community while also providing a great place to grow your own food and learn from others. They are so open with information and tips about gardening and it feels great to be a part of making this area a better place for everyone to live in.”
Sheryl Davis-Board Member—
“The program is awesome, allows youth to give back to the community and learn about the environment, as well as nutrition (eating healthy, living gardens).”
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