Jardines y Viviendas del Westside
Thursday, 07 15 2021
Over Labor Day weekend, the Texas A&M University-San Antonio Plant Club was part of a volunteer group assisting on a beautification project on the Westside of San Antonio. The group also included the Brown Berets, students from Incarnate Word, City Year, and Esperanza Peace and Justice Center, staff. Everyone came together with community members and representatives from District 5 to begin the community cempasúchil (marigold) gardens.
A&M-SA students Izzie Terraza and Maria Contreras assisted in weeding and spent hours helping with the planting and preparation of the cempasúchil gardens. The students used the experience they gained volunteering with the on-campus community garden to help with this community service project.
“I volunteered at Jardines y Viviendas because of my love for gardening. Once there, however, I discovered that the project was about much more than just gardening. The project was about bringing the community together through difficult times,” said biology junior Maria Contreras. “As part of the Latinx community of San Antonio, I am very grateful for the opportunity to work with Jardines y Viviendas. To me, volunteering is about bringing your skills and talents and using them to serve the community.”
Jardines y Viviendas del Westside project is a culturally driven response led by artist Michael Marínez. In preparation for Día de Los Muertos (Nov 1), this ongoing community garden project responds in a time of Pandemic and Gentrification. Jardines y Viviendas del Westside is centered in San Antonio’s Historic Westside, with cempasúchil (marigold) gardens planted at El Rinconcito de Esperanza and other sites, including the nationally-recognized Alazán-Apache Courts.