Eddie's Garden

Joanne Sciulli and Kim Barnes with Westville Manor youth at "Eddie's Garden"

March 22, 2006 was a day off for public school in New Haven, CT, but in Westville Manor, Solar Youth had fantastic plans to engage youth in a community beautification project. With a little help from Patricia Bender, who donated Japanese irises, day lilies and lamb's ear to the project, and a little knowledge from Solar Youth's resident farmer and Student Conservation Association intern, Kim Barnes, youth helped plant flowers in their neighborhood. Afterward, several of the youth joined Brandon Ballengee in a hike to the West Rock Nature Center.

Youth were eager to participate. The event was not set to begin until 1pm, but youth knocked on the door of the Solar Youth office all morning, the youngers ones asking, "Is it one o'clock yet?" Everyone in the office took turns telling the youth to wait just a couple more hours, another hour, another half an hour, just another ten minutes...until one o'clock arrives and we opened the door to a group of energetic and enthusiastic youth.


Kim Barnes and a Westville manor youth splitting day lilies in preparation for planting

The youth were split into two groups: the planters and the painters. The planters first had to split the day lilies from their bunches, find ideal planting locations, clear the ground and finally, plant. The painters were responsible for creating signs that would make others aware of the planting project, and hopefully prevent the vandalism of the flowerbeds, as well as encourage others to water and care for the flowers.

In the winter, a neighborhood youth was shot and killed. A memorial appeared on the corner of Wayfarer and Level Streets. In an effort to create a more permanent place of remembrance for Eddie, the youth scoping out locations for flowerbeds suggested they plant a garden on that corner. The planters set to work, and a youth from the painter group, Khalil, said, "I want to make the sign. Eddie was my friend."


Elvin Santiago holding up a flower in transit to Eddie's Garden

At the end of the day, Eddie's Garden was planted, the pieces of the former memorial incorporated into the bed, decorating around it. Other flowerbeds were planted and plenty of signs were painted to remind others to mind the plants.

And now no one will ever forget Eddie, every time the flowers bloom.