Earth Day Service Projects

Most of the time our programs' work involves creating environmentally friendly housing for low-income populations, but sometimes, like on Earth Day for instance, we take our mission a step further by helping to create the environment itself. Several YouthBuild programs around Massachusetts have recently begun showing off their green thumbs in honor of our planet because, as one of our students put it, "if you take care of the Earth, the Earth will take care of you."

Students at YouthBuild Lawrence are currently in the process of building a community greenhouse in their city. Much like a community garden, when completed it will be a place where local residents can grow their plants, flowers, vegetables, etc. -- the only difference is they'll be able to do it year-round in a controlled environment without having to worry about the often unpredictable New England weather. The greenhouse is just one part of an "Earth Day Beautification Project" that will also include a tree, flower and shrub planting celebration. 

YouthBuild Fall River has begun work on an urban tree farm. What's an urban tree farm? Exactly what it sounds like: a collection of trees -- in this case, about 200 -- strategically situated in an urban location. The project looks to clean up the area, cultivate existing vegetation and bring new life to a field that spans close to an acre by planting the aforementioned 200 trees.  

YouthBuild Boston got in on the Earth Day action by holding their "Good Neighbor Day of Service", where students joined with residents and local organizations to clean up surrounding areas of Roxbury in need of revitalization. Hear interviews with YouthBuild Boston students and staff in the video to the left taken by Chris Lovett of BNN News.