Grants Give Groundwork Hudson Valley Impetus In 2019

From Groundwork Hudson Valley

The 2019 year is shaping up to be a successful one for Groundwork Hudson Valley (Groundwork), a Yonkers based community environmental nonprofit. In just six months, the nonprofit has been awarded $111,700 in grant funding to address issues of invasive species, fund the world-renowned Science Barge, optimize branding and signage for the organization, and support the Open Harvest program which provides fresh food at low- or no-cost to Yonkers residents.

“Groundwork is dedicated to uplifting urban communities through environmental activism which means we have dozens of programs operating at any given time,” explained Brigitte Griswold, Executive Director for Groundwork Hudson Valley. “Financial support from Governor Cuomo, private foundations, and local community groups and businesses is absolutely vital to our success and we cannot thank them enough.”

$100,000 NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Grant

Groundwork received a $100,000 grant from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation to address a relatively new invasive plant issue on the path of the Yonkers Greenway, an urban path that is currently being developed in partnership with the City of Yonkers. The Yonkers Greenway will transform the defunct and abandoned Putnam Railroad into a community walkway that will traverse from Caryl Ave., north of Van Cortlandt Park, to Getty Square in downtown Yonkers.

The $100,000 State grant will also support the Groundwork Green Team, a youth employment program that employs Yonkers youth while teaching them about environmental conservation and urban community engagement.

“The Green Team consists of 15 local Yonkers youth who help conserve vital environmental areas in the Hudson Valley such as the Saw Mill River and the Yonkers Greenway,” said Ellen Theg, Director of Programs and Operations. “With this State grant, the Green Team will help clear the Yonkers Greenway of invasive species while also gaining job experience.”

$10,000 Lorraine O'Brien Foundation Grant

The $10,000 Lorraine O’Brien Foundation Grant will support Groundwork Hudson Valley’s Sustainability Education Programs which teach the community about renewable energy, urban farming, and Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) education. The funding will support the world-renowned Science Barge, a one-of-a-kind floating environmental education center on the Hudson River that is powered entirely by renewable energy, which supports a greenhouse that grows the equivalent of an acre of farmland. Approximately 10,000 people tour the Barge each year, including dignitaries from around the world, and national media such as National Geographic and The New York Times.

“The Science Barge enables Groundwork to show the community that living sustainably is possible,” said Jennifer Sloan, Director of Education. “We teach sustainability concepts through hands-on STEM education, and foster an interest in healthy eating for a community that does not often have access to fresh foods. The Lorraine O’Brien Foundation Grant is supporting environmental awareness, STEM education, and health – all at once.”

$900 Junior League of Bronxville Grant

The Junior League of Bronxville funded a $900 grant to purchase reusable bags for the Groundwork Open Harvest Program, a U-Pick program that allows community members to harvest the Science Barge produce from June through November. The Science Barge grows a variety of produce, such as tomatoes, melons, and peppers. Shoppers can make a donation or harvest for free, and Groundwork provides them with a reusable bag to carry their produce home.

"The Junior League of Bronxville is proud to support the Groundwork Open Harvest Program which aligns with one of our long-held objectives to alleviate hunger and improve nutrition in our community. These bags will facilitate shopping, reduce environmental impact, and promote this wonderful U-pick program for many members of the Southwest Yonkers community,” said Deirdre Breen Doheny, President of the Junior League of Bronxville.

Southwest Yonkers is considered a food desert, meaning that fresh produce is not readily available to the community.

“By providing affordable healthy food, the Science Barge inspires people to make healthy food choices and have the opportunity to support local sustainable agriculture,” said Brigitte Griswold, Executive Director.

$800 Signarama Grant

New York-based business Signarama is helping Groundwork spread the word about its work by providing $800 in signage for the organization. The business is working with Groundwork to provide magnetic decals for Groundwork vehicles, which are used to transport Green Team youth and materials to-and-from clean-up sights, signage for the Science Barge and will be providing Groundwork with event signage for the annual Urban River Gala fundraising event, which helps support the nonprofits’ work throughout the year. RSVP to attend the September 19th Urban River Gala event here.

“So much of what we do is behind-the-scenes,” said Sara Brody, Director of Development. “Being able to inform the community of the work we do through vehicle decals and Science Barge signage helps Groundwork continue to engage people in our work and mission. We are so grateful to Signarama for helping us spread the word.”

Community Contributions

In addition to public and private grants, Groundwork Hudson Valley relies on contributions from the community. Public funding goes toward the creation and preservation of Westchester green spaces, STEM education, prevention of erosion and flooding, and youth workforce development. Please donate.

About Groundwork Hudson Valley: Groundwork Hudson Valley creates sustainable environmental change in urban neighborhoods through community-based partnerships that promote equity, youth leadership and economic opportunity. For almost twenty years Groundwork has made neighborhoods more livable and sustainable through an array of on-the-ground environmental projects that directly involve local residents.Groundwork restores rivers and builds trails, parks, and playgrounds, while engaging community members in all of their work – with a particular focus on educating and employing young people.

For more information, contact Groundwork Hudson Valley at 914-375-2151 or visit their website at groundworkhv.org.