Seeds of Service
West Riverside Elementary's 9/11 Community Garden
The West Riverside Elementary school community is honoring those impacted by unthinkable tragedy by planting seeds of hope, service, community, and kindness.
The school’s 9/11 Community Garden: A Garden of Service and Remembrance will serve as a tribute to those affected by the 9/11 tragedy 25 years ago while empowering generations to come to make the world a better place.
“We decided to (do a garden) because… we don’t just want the plants to grow, but students to grow,” said West Riverside sixth grader Isaac Leon.
A September 14 groundbreaking ceremony for the garden marked the culmination of months of planning. Once complete, it will be a hub of peace, remembrance, learning, and growth.
“We want the space to serve several purposes,” noted West Riverside’s Community Schools Teacher on Special Assignment Martha Rodriguez. “It will be a place of remembrance, but also an outdoor learning environment where students can learn about science, gardening, environmental stewardship, and caring for their community. Most importantly, we want it to be a welcoming space that represents hope, growth, kindness, and service.”
The idea for the garden came last spring, when students were tasked with finding a community service project for the first-ever Jurupa Unified School District Week of Service, held during National Volunteer Week in April. Parents also expressed a desire to have a community garden at school.
“(The parents) are so happy. I think it is a nice tribute to those impacted by 9/11,” said West Riverside Elementary parent Angelica Peña. “Today, (this garden) allows us to remember and know that together we can do beautiful things and create alongside our students and school. If we all come together, I believe it is a very beautiful experience.”
As the idea developed, organizers decided to connect the project to the 9/11 National Day of Service and Remembrance.
“September 11 is not only a day to remember those we lost and honor the heroes who served; it is also an opportunity to turn remembrance into action,” Ms. Rodriguez said. “For us, this garden represents exactly that – students, families, staff, and community members coming together through service to create something positive and lasting for our school.”
Funding for the project came from a $5,000 grant from the nonprofit 9/11 Day organization in collaboration with AmeriCorps (principal funding from AmeriCorps and the Popeyes Foundation), as part of the nationwide UNIITE For Good campaign. This campaign honors the 25th anniversary of 9/11 by promoting acts of service for others.
Once completed, the garden will provide a place for community and quiet reflection, with raised garden beds where students and families can grow their own vegetables, fruits, and flowers and a memorial area with a fountain and benches.
“The West Riverside school community’s efforts are a wonderful example of the powerful difference that leaders of all ages can make when we work together and put service before self,” said Dr. Trenton Hansen, Jurupa Unified Superintendent. “The 9/11 Community Garden is a beautiful tribute to all of those affected by the 9/11 tragedy and a meaningful community resource. I’m so very proud of our students, staff, volunteers, and community partners who worked hard to bring this vision to life. The ripple effect of their efforts will reach far beyond West Riverside and Jurupa Unified for many years to come.”
Re-Purposing Service
Mission Bell Elementary School's Community Care Closet
Mission Bell Elementary School students’ concerns about the environment spawned an effort to create an on-campus solution.
The school recently held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for their Community Care Closet, a space where students, families and communities can choose gently used clothing essentials in a boutique-style space.
“Our students got to see our Care Closet come to fruition, which was an idea sparked out of our Week of Service last year,” said Angelica Quintero, Community Schools Teacher on Special Assignment at Mission Bell.
“This is a great example of what can happen when the community comes together and the impact that it has on our students, our families, and the community.” Superintendent Dr. Trenton Hansen said.
Jurupa Unified’s Parent Involvement and Community Outreach (P.I.C.O.) department provided the refurbished, air-conditioned storage container. Similar Community Care Closets are on Community School campuses throughout the district.
“We used state funds through Community Schools to purchase a container, and now we have an amazing, sustainable community care closet that everyone can come and benefit from,” said Dr. Shayna Golbaf, Community Schools Coordinator for P.I.C.O.
Students and families have an accessible resource to address needs that may be overlooked in the community but are essential to a successful learning experience.
“Our Care Closet is about removing barriers and breaking down the stigmas that can sometimes prevent students from feeling comfortable, confident, and ready to learn,” said Mission Bell Principal Linda Del Toro. “Every child deserves to come to school feeling cared for, supported, and included. By making these resources available with dignity and without judgment, we’re creating a stronger, more compassionate school community where every Bruin has the opportunity to thrive.”
Students began the project last year by learning about the environmental impact of fast fashion and the amount of unnecessary waste created by throwing away lightly used clothes.
“It was Earth Day, and we were talking about how we could recycle things and how we could help the Earth,” said Aaron Martinez, a Mission Bell Peer Assistance and Leadership (PALs) alumnus. “It's where everybody could come get clothes: people in need, or if they just want a different style.”
Students also built leadership skills through this project. Juliana Rubio, a Mission Bell PALs alumna, said the experience helped her become more comfortable vocalizing her ideas.
“When I was (younger)…I was really scared to open up or, like, to just talk about my ideas to other people.” Juliana said, “Miss Q (Quintero) brought me into leadership, and she was like, oh, this is going to suit you, and so I did it.”
Parents also stepped forward to help organize donations, sort clothing, and help run the Care Closet.
“I want to show my kids that you always could serve your community… Give, be kind, be respectful,” Leticia Rubio said, a Mission Bell parent. “So I'm trying to teach my kids to grow up and be the same as I am right now.”
The Care Closet is made possible by community donations and sponsorship from the Western Riverside Communities Rotary Club (WRC Rotary). The WRC Rotary supports the Mission Bell EarlyAct club by providing mentorship that teaches students to understand the importance of community service.
“I'm just really proud to be in PALS, EarlyAct, and just helping with the community in general,” Juliana said.
The Care Closet is officially up and running and open during “Thrifting Thursdays,” when students, families, and the community are welcome to shop for free.
“Here, we are one Jurupa. We're all about our children, our families, and community, and we're in it together,” said Jose Campos, Director of P.I.C.O. “We're here to do everything possible to support
Learning Without Limits.
For more information regarding Mission Bell Elementary School’s Community Care Closet, contact Ms. Quintero at angelica_quintero@jusd.k12.ca.us
