Making a Difference in the Lansing Community

My name is John Bolan and I am a second-year AmeriCorps*State member with the Power of We Consortium (PWC) at the North West Initiative-Food System Project in Lansing. The PWC is a diverse group of partners that aims to reduce chronic disease for Lansing-area residents by creating, maintaining, and expanding community gardens, sustainable food systems, and access to healthy food; and by creating, maintaining and expanding trails, greenways, and non-motorized transportation systems. At the Food Systems Project, I serve as the volunteer and internship coordinator. 

My fellow PWC AmeriCorps members currently serve at various agencies such as: Allen Neighborhood Center, Greater Lansing Food Bank, Ingham County Land Bank, Ingham Family Center, Mid Michigan Food Bank, Northwest Initiative, South Lansing Community Development Association(SLCDA) and The Garden Project. In the 2010-2011 program year, the PWC AmeriCorps program educated 1,500 residents about the links between chronic disease, diet, and exercise. We also supported more than 1,000 families in 90 gardens and more than 1,700 volunteers. In addition, we offered 2,500 residents information about active transportation and trail use.

This year, the PWC AmeriCorps program has created more than 40 new gardens and helped to improve countless others, specifically in the area of creating inclusive and accessible spaces. We have produced thousands of pounds of fresh produce for the community. We also provided resources to people who wished to start gardens on their own land, as well as supported individuals who needed garden space through the use of Land Bank property. PWC AmeriCorps members also provided expertise to new gardeners and guidance to community centers, schools, faith-based organizations, and neighborhood groups who wished to create community gardens.

Gardening has not only encouraged neighborhoods to take pride in their land, but it has also increased fresh food access in low-income areas. It has enabled families to save money and helped PWC AmeriCorps members like me to bring to light the connection between eating fruits and vegetables and reducing chronic disease. We are also very proud of the many new inclusive spaces we have created – you can view our end result at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rAM96CH8E1Q.

In addition to our focus on healthy eating, PWC AmeriCorps members also promote the use of trails, greenways, and non-motorized transportation by hosting community events and improving local trails and parks. One of our efforts, the Walkability Audit, will help to increase non-motorized transportation. Additionally, our member at the Fenner Nature Conservancy has helped to create a more attractive, user-friendly greenspace for residents by removing invasive species from the parks and improving trail. This has helped to increase both residents’ and volunteers’ involvement with local parks and helped the native habitat to thrive.

Lastly, the PWC AmeriCorps program aims to educate community members about the link between exercise and healthy food and the reduction of chronic disease. To do this, our AmeriCorps members at NorthWest Initiative and SLCDA organize and teach nutrition, exercise and gardening classes to local elementary students. Our program has helped the Ingham Family Center to start a large garden, chicken coop, and hoop house to grow food in the winter. Students now grow, learn about, and eat local organic food.
 

 As I wrap up my second year of AmeriCorps service, I am very proud of the efforts and impact that my fellow PWC AmeriCorps members and I have had on improving the health and nutrition of Lansing area residents.