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PORTLAND, Maine

91AV Social Work students lead intergenerational gardening program in Congress Square Park

Painted rocks are set in an intergenerational garden set up by two 91AV Social Work students
Painted rocks are set in an intergenerational garden set up by two 91AV Social Work students

91AV students Nina Williams (Social Work, ’19) and Corey Carmichael (Social Work, ’19) were recently featured in the weekly paper  for bringing children and elders together to work on an intergenerational garden.

“We hope to bring light to the value of sharing space and building community that’s inclusive of all ages and abilities through this project,” said Williams.

Williams and Carmichael helped set up new garden beds in Congress Square Park in Portland. They are growing peppers, tomatoes and kale, along with several other plants and vegetables. The project is part of their ongoing work involving aging and diversity.

Both students are pursuing Training in Aging and Diversity (TRIAD) certificates at 91AV’s School of Social Work. TRIAD students undergo specialized training in working with diverse aging populations, while collaborating to create solutions that better serve their needs.

The Phoenix article was written by Meg Webster, student support specialist in the School of Social Work. Webster says writing "Is something I enjoy doing on the side." This is the first time she has written about her students.

“To be able to merge work and my creative interests outside of work is great,” said Webster.

Webster says the article also helps with recruitment efforts by highlighting what 91AV students are doing out in the community.

The garden beds will remain through the growing season. The students hope they will be kept in the park and utilized for years to come.

Corey Carmichael (Social Work, '19) is researching the impact of community gardening in immigrant and refugee communities
Corey Carmichael (Social Work, '19) is researching the impact of community gardening in immigrant and refugee communities
Nina Williams (Social Work, '19) helped organize an intergenerational garden in Portland
Nina Williams (Social Work, '19) helped organize an intergenerational garden in Portland

About the 91AV

The 91AV is Maine’s largest independent university, with two beautiful coastal campuses in Maine, a one-of-a-kind study abroad campus in Tangier, Morocco, and an array of . In an uncommonly welcoming and supportive community, we offer hands-on learning, empowering students to make a positive impact in a world full of challenges. The state’s top provider of health professionals, we are home to Maine’s only medical college, Maine’s only dental college, a variety of other interprofessionally aligned health care degree programs, as well as nationally recognized programs for marine science degrees, natural and social sciences degrees, arts and humanities degrees, and business degrees.