For the past six months, Grace and Gaelle have made their monthly trips to the Garden Of Resilience. Every month the students from Laurelton come to the garden with their families to participate in the monthly clothing giveaways hosted by Minimalisa NYC.
Minimalisa NYC is led by Lisa Garcia. Lisa Garcia runs a decluttering business. Any items Garcia declutters with her team from their clients that are new and gently used are donated.Â
In 2023, Minimalisa NYC hosted their first Holiday Gift Shoppe at Garden of Resilience in partnership with DIVAS for Social Justice. The event was promoted throughout District 29 and had a wonderful turnout. DIVAS for Social Justice serves as the land steward of the Garden of Resilience.
The Holiday Gift Shoppe inspired the monthly clothing giveaways at the community garden that started in July 2024. The monthly giveaway aligned with the community garden because all of the food grown in the garden is given away for free. The missions of both entities aligned.
Over the past six months the clothing giveaway has helped families coming from as far as the Bronx. In addition to receiving clothes, participants are also encouraged to take vegetables in the garden.The initiative is impacting people’s lives by providing clothing to build confidence and helping to reduce waste in landfills. Landfills are frequently placed in communities of color and produce emissions and systematically be placed due to land placed zoning. By using a green space located in Southeast Queens to counter landfill waste and food justice , the initiative serves as a solution to a more sustainable and just community.
The final giveaway for 2024 will take place on December 1, 2024. All children, from 1-92 are invited to take part in the joyous event. Please share the flyer widely with your network.
