2017-2018 Mini-Grant Projects

For the 3rd and final mini-grant cycle of Love Your Block, we had limited funding left to award mini-grants. We decided that we would award two existing Love Your Block mini-grant projects in our target neighborhoods of Parchester Village and North Richmond in order to promote sustainability.

Phanor Drive Beautification Project
Project Lead: Parchester Neighborhood Council

The Parchester community built upon two years of beautification work by revitalizing the Phanor Drive entrance to the neighborhood. Over a two-day period, 26 volunteers picked up 41 bags of litter and weeds, spread mulch, installed landscaping rocks, gave the wall a fresh coat of paint, and repainted the safety railing. Several of the volunteers came from neighboring business SeQuential Richmond, which continues to be an outstanding supporter of the community.

Fred's Oasis
Project Lead: Iyalode Kinney

To sustain the Fred Jackson Community Garden, Iyalode Kinney of Communities United Restoring Mother Earth (CURME) worked with volunteers to build 4 additional garden beds, remove weeds, spread mulch, and plant 3 trees, 3 rose bushes, herbs, and vegetables. Harvest from the garden was given to volunteers as well as senior residents living in the neighborhood. Throughout the project period, about 50 volunteers - 23 of them new volunteers - helped out at the garden.