From a young age, I have been taught that I have the responsibility and ability to make a positive impact in my community. Coming from Arizona I was unsure about the volunteer opportunities I could take part in while living in Atlanta. Upon hearing about the two field trips to Truly Living Well Center for Natural urban Agriculture and Grove Park Foundation through the Center for Serve-Learn-Sustain (SLS), I was intrigued. These organizations seemed to be making a big difference in areas I am genuinely interested in. I registered for the event immediately.

Our first stop was Truly Living Well. The farm was lush and peaceful, tucked in the middle of the busy city, near the Atlanta University Center. We stepped out of our bus and were greeted by an outgoing and informative tour guide, Naimah Abdullah, the Engagement Manager. Not only did she tour us around the farm while teaching us about the crops grown, but she also mentioned the many volunteer, research, and internship opportunities available to us as Georgia Tech students. When she started mentioning internship opportunities, I thought the only majors that this would be applicable to would be environmental science and environmental engineering. I was definitely wrong. Architecture majors can design and build infrastructures such as sheds or plant beds. Mechanical engineers are needed for designing systems to help the plants thrive. Civil engineers are needed for fluid mechanics. Biology majors can help with composting by introducing and maintaining beneficial microbes. I left feeling inspired about how I could play a part in serving my community while gaining valuable experience within my major. Naimah also informed us that gardening is a good form of therapy, so Truly Living Well is a resource I will take advantage of when I feel overly stressed.

We then traveled to the Grove Park Foundation. We were met by Executive Director Gavin McGuire and Freddie Stevens, Director of Housing, as well as a Georgia Tech student interning at the foundation this summer through SLS. The three of them explained the mission of the foundation, improving the quality of life for those in the Grove Park neighborhood of Atlanta. They also told us how we could become involved through research, course partnerships, or an internship. We were then led on a mile-long tour throughout part of the Grove Park neighborhood to see the impact the foundation was making on the community, in collaboration with community partners who met us along the way. We first stopped by the school and YMCA. These are obviously extremely valuable to help the community learn and thrive. We then passed by a community garden, a nonprofit organization called PAWkids, and finally an affordable housing complex. In a neighborhood where the average income is about $26,000 dollars a year, affordable housing is invaluable for those who live there. We also heard about Grove Park Foundation’s future plans to help residents bring healthy, fresh food closer to the neighborhood, where many people live at least 2 miles away from the nearest grocery store. This is an impactful project I would love to be part of.

This trip was very insightful and valuable for me. I look forward to learning more about SLS, its partnerships with valuable organizations, and how I can make a true impact while I am a Georgia Tech student.