Transitions at the Youth Garden

The dogwoods are blooming and changes are happening at The Washington Youth Garden.

After an extensive search, the Youth Garden has found a new programming director. Not only is she a D.C. native, not only does she live in the neighborhood, but she was actually a participant in the Youth Garden as an elementary school student some years back.

Meet Kaifa Anderson-Hall, who was feted with a pot-luck lunch today by staff at the National Arboretum, where the Youth Garden has its digs, as well as by several friends and volunteers.

Equipped with a master's degree in social work from the University of Maryland, Anderson-Hall until two years ago was the family and social counselor, as well as one of the founders, at Tree of Life Public Charter School on the grounds of the former Children's Museum.

Anderson-Hall graduated as a Master Gardener in 2005. Then she suffered a triple blow: the deaths of her mother and father-in-law and being hit by a car.

She sought comfort at the Youth Garden, a place she had known since childhood, and offered to volunteer.

"I came back to the garden to complete the healing process," she said.

She soon became a regular on Tuesdays, when volunteers help with garden maintenance. Then she joined the Science in the Classroom project, helping Youth Garden staff reach out to area elementary schools.

When the position of program director opened, eyes turned to Anderson-Hall.

"Some of the senior volunteers sort of propositioned me," she said. "They twisted my arm. It's a wonderful program."

But while the Youth Garden is gaining a new program director, it is losing another old (or young) hand, Jenny Guillaume.

Many will recognize Guillaume, 25, as the face behind the Youth Garden's outreach programs, especially the events where families interact with local chefs, cooking meals with ingredients grown in the garden.

Guillaume, who runs the actual gardening part of the garden, has been with the Youth Garden for nearly three years. In fact, this was her first job after graduating from Bates College in Maine.

She's been lured away--at least for the time being--by the chance to be one of two managers at a sprawling, 2.5-acre urban garden in Brooklyn, NY, called Red Hook Community Farm. The farm, built over a field of asphalt, is part of the Added Value organization, working to train local youths in community leadership and sustainable urban gardening.

The farm sells produce through local farmer's markets and to area restaurants.

"The job only runs through December. So who knows? I may be back," said Guillaume.

Posted by Ed Bruske

Comments

[Susan Harris]

Kaifa, that is wonderful news!! I'm gonna stop by soon to see what you all are up to.

[Kathy, Washington Gardener]

We'll miss you, Jenny and welcome, Kaifa!