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  • Nadir Merchant putting the final touches to wooden garden frame
    Shirin Malik | 08 September 2018 | USA

    Orlando I-CERV Participates in “City of Garden Event”

    Nadir Merchant putting the final touches to wooden garden frame Emery Graham
  • Volunteers at work making garden frames.
    Shirin Malik | 08 September 2018 | USA

    Orlando I-CERV Participates in “City of Garden Event”

    Volunteers at work making garden frames. Emery Graham
  • Volunteers measuring the frames.
    Shirin Malik | 08 September 2018 | USA

    Orlando I-CERV Participates in “City of Garden Event”

    Volunteers measuring the frames. Emery Graham
  • I-CERV volunteers work with City of Orlando's trained volunteers to help create a “City of Garden.”
    Shirin Malik | 08 September 2018 | USA

    Orlando I-CERV Participates in “City of Garden Event”

    I-CERV volunteers work with City of Orlando's trained volunteers to help create a “City of Garden.” Emery Graham
  • Heavy lifting by the volunteers.
    Shirin Malik | 08 September 2018 | USA

    Orlando I-CERV Participates in “City of Garden Event”

    Heavy lifting by the volunteers. Emery Graham
  • Abdullah Tharoo installing nails into the frames.
    Shirin Malik | 08 September 2018 | USA

    Orlando I-CERV Participates in “City of Garden Event”

    Abdullah Tharoo installing nails into the frames. Emery Graham
  • I-CERV youth volunteers providing final touches to the garden beds.
    Shirin Malik | 08 September 2018 | USA

    Orlando I-CERV Participates in “City of Garden Event”

    I-CERV youth volunteers providing final touches to the garden beds. Emery Graham

In 2011, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer initiated Orlando Cares, a service initiative which includes The Garden is an impactful volunteering program. 

The Garden is a joint program with Orange County, which manages the recreational division, as well as with others partners to engage adult volunteers to mentor youth. Participation in the Garden activity provides a safe and constructive opportunity for community youth to apply their skills and knowledge about gardening and wellness, and generates curiosity about careers in agricultural science. Naturally, this mission resonates closely with I-CERV’s vision, and, as a result Abdullah Tharoo, ex Vice-Chair for the Nomination Board for the City of Orlando, embraced the opportunity to contribute to this worthy cause.

For the Garden Program, 24 I-CERV members served alongside other Garden volunteers learned how to grow healthy foods in a container garden setting with hydroponic systems. Through this social engagement, they acquired new knowledge about creating raised garden beds.

The Garden Program focuses on beautifying spaces within under-served areas of Orlando. It provides youth with an opportunity to connect with nature and a space for intellectual contemplation. This is a healthy diversion as an after-school activity, where the youth can learn to grow safe and affordable food for their families and community.

These Garden Build Day events have been so successful in their 10-week curriculum, that they has inspired interest to convert this program into a year-round activity. I-CERV volunteers use woodworking skills to create 21 garden beds.

In recognition of the commitment by the I-CERV volunteers. Marcia Hope Goodwin, Chief Service Officer and Director for Community Affairs & Human Relations for the City of Orlando, said: “On behalf of Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, I would like to thank the I-CERV team for taking time to volunteer on August 5, at the Garden Build Day! We appreciate the outstanding support that Abdullah Tharoo and the I-CERV team have given to the Office of Community Affairs for the Garden and to our city’s residents during natural disasters as volunteers at the Orlando Emergency Operations Center. Thank you for being champions of civic engagement!”

I-CERV volunteer Aftab Merchant described his experience saying, “I had a wonderful time at the event. It was great to participate with my daughters and teach team the virtues of volunteer work, and the added benefit of exposing them to some real-world handy skills.”