Deloitte Volunteers make a “Dirt Level” Difference with LA Conservation Corps
LA Conservation Corps youth welcomed the help of 15 volunteers from Deloitte this summer in rejuvenating the Pico Union Community Garden. Since the garden is only three blocks from LA Conservation Corps’ EcoAcademy High School, teachers utilize it as an outdoor classroom to teach at-risk students about gardening, nutrition and ecology. Neighbors also use the garden to grow fruits and vegetables, and as a green place to gather in this high density neighborhood.
Recently, however, the entrance to the garden had become unsafe. It was overgrown, and debris had started to pile up. Additionally, gang graffiti stained the hand built fence. So, despite 95 degree temperatures, the Deloitte volunteers put their collective muscle into weeding the garden plots, cleaning debris (including old railway ties!) and painting the fence. In just a few short hours, they managed to make the garden much more accessible and appealing. The volunteers also managed to make an impression on the teenagers who worked alongside them. Most of them had never worked together with adults, let alone accountants. Spending time together helped them understand more about a new career tract of which most of them had never heard. After working together, the youth and the Deloitte team enjoyed sandwiches together in the garden and traded stories about school. Yasmin Mero-Corona, the lead LA Conservation Corps staff for the project, is also a long standing resident of the neighborhood. She was beaming with pride at the end of the day because of the progress that was made to beautify the garden, and to make it safer and more usable. We’re grateful that Deloitte volunteers made a difference to help both the garden and LA Conservation Corps youth grow. Thanks, Deloitte!