Community Activities
The OUNY Family Garden Program encompasses all OUNY gardening activities
A standout project, the Freedom Garden, is a permaculture backyard space named by
Youth in Action (YIA). These youth formed the 4-H Freedom Farmers club through Cornell
Cooperative Extension’s 4-H Youth Development Program, under the mentorship of Leslie
Reed, Horticultural Technician II with NYS Parks. While awaiting hardscaping construction,
the youth actively cleared and maintained the garden, relocated planting boxes for
pollinator flower beds, and planted hostas. They also harvested raspberries and herbs to
share with their families. Once finished, the Freedom Garden will benefit the broader
community.
4H Freedom Farmers Garden:
This hands-on garden teaches youth valuable agricultural skills through the 4-H program,
sharing its harvest with participating families as both an educational tool and a community
resource. The 4-H Freedom Farmers also led the Hudson Youth Center Youth Garden
Club, combining gardening with cooking and crafts. In 2024, five YIA participants earned
awards at the Columbia County Fair.
Beyond the garden, the Freedom Farmers contributed produce to the Community
Outreach Garden at a residence supporting men with disabilities, where they also shared
a homemade dinner.
Showing support for Black farmers and LGBTQ+ communities, YIA visited Wild Seed Farm
for a hands-on learning experience paired with an art exhibition.
The Annual Community Beautification:
Launched several years ago in partnership with the Galvan Foundation, the Weed and
Seed Program focuses on beautifying State Street (from Second to half of Third Street). YIA
members cleared garbage and weeds around trees and planted vibrant Zinnia flowers.
The Galvan Foundation contracts Pond Side Nursery to plant and care for the trees.
At home, YIA members maintain five flower boxes by painting, repairing damaged wood,
and tending spring and summer blooms. They also welcome donations of perennial
flowers and seeds to enhance community spaces.
Service...
Democracy Leadership Initiative:
Funded by the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation, the Democracy Leadership
Initiative awarded two Fellows, Daija Jones and Sebastian Dermott, to develop
community solutions. Together with the Hudson Area Library, they created the
Community Unity Cabinet—a resource stocked with non-perishable food and hygiene
products for those in need.
Daija and Sebastian collaborated with Democracy Leadership Regional Director Paul
Marienthal, Hudson Area Library Director Emily Chamedies, Operation Unite Team
Leaders, YIA focus groups, and local carpenter Steven to build the cabinet. The public will
soon be invited to celebrate the cabinet’s unveiling and meet the Fellows behind this
important project.
Dinner at Providence Hall
YIA volunteers helped serve at the festive Holiday Dinner at Providence Hall, featuring a
hearty meal, joyful music by the We Are the Reason Choir led by Debbie Waith, and gifts
from Santa. Providence Hall provides affordable apartments in downtown Hudson for
seniors (62+) and disabled residents through the HUD Section 8 program.
Community partners for the event included Providence Hall staff, State Street AME Zion
Church Food Ministry, Hudson Rotary Club, Salvation Army, and Zion Food Pantry.
Baking Workshop:
OUNY Team Leader Dominique Geer, along with YIA assistants Ummuy and Tisi, led a
baking workshop with Perfect Ten girls. Eighteen girls baked and decorated mini-cakes
and cupcakes, which were sold at the bake sale during OUNY’s annual Kwanzaa
Celebration. This hands-on entrepreneurial experience helped raise funds for Perfect Ten,
an organization dedicated to empowering girls with the confidence and skills to pursue
their goals and build independent futures.
Want to make a positive difference in your community?
Operation Unite Education and Cultural Arts Center is pleased to host and have available 3 part-time AmeriCorps positions.
Job description:
Program Assistant, festival planning, community beautification, dance and drum programs and more.
AmeriCorps is administered by the Mental Health Association of Columbia and Greene Counties.
