May Brings Growth: How We're Transforming Vacant Lots into Thriving Community Spaces

As the flowers bloom and the days grow longer, May is the perfect time to focus on growth—both in our communities and in how we tackle pressing issues like food insecurity and vacant land use. This month, I’ve been involved in several exciting projects that address these challenges head-on, bringing new opportunities to the people of Phil

adelphia.

Did You Know?

Philadelphia’s city government spends almost $10 million a year cleaning up illegal dumping on vacant lots. But did you know that cleaning and greening these spaces can also reduce gun violence by almost 29%? That’s right—a UPenn study found that when we take care of our vacant lots, we help make our neighborhoods safer. And yet, despite the benefits, there’s no City policy allowing community groups and local businesses to use vacant land for short-term projects.

So, why not make these spaces work for us?

Our Vision for Vacant Land: Community Growth and Development

This May, I teamed up with neighbors living in the community to propose an exciting plan for utilizing vacant lots in Philadelphia, particularly those with OPA accounts 183335500, 183335401, 183335300, 183335200, and 183335101. Here’s how we plan to transform these underutilized spaces into thriving hubs for growth:

• Composting Sites: By setting up composting sites, we aim to reduce waste and create valuable resources for local agriculture. This initiative not only promotes sustainability but also generates jobs, helping to drive economic growth.

• Community Fridge and Pantry: Food insecurity is a major issue in our neighborhoods. Installing community fridges and pantries will ensure that no one goes hungry. It’s a way to promote dignity, equality, and social cohesion.

• Community Garden: Imagine a green space where residents can grow their own food, connect with nature, and build friendships. That’s what a community garden can offer, bringing health and well-being to the heart of the city.

  
  

We’ve also committed to preserving the Jose Camacheo memorial, which stands on one of the vacant lots, while looking for a nonprofit partner to help with the sustainability and funding of this vision. It's a community effort, and we're excited about what’s to come.

Advocating for Change

To push this vision forward, I filled out a proposal form with Circular Philadelphia and worked with the Philadelphia Land Bank to find the OPA account numbers of the vacant lands. On May 14th, I participated in a Zoom meeting to advocate for the preservation of these lots and to fight back against residential landlords who could disrupt the vision for these spaces. It was a powerful experience to speak up for a cause that holds so much potential for our community.

    (Edit: BTW this worked and we got the approval to keep the lot vacant to save the tree and Jose Camacheo's memorial)

Extending the Reach: Volunteering and Advocacy

In addition to the vacant lot projects, I’ve been busy volunteering and supporting causes that strengthen our city. Earlier this year, I worked with HIAS Immigration & Citizenship to create cleaning baskets for refugee families, helping eight families get the essential supplies they needed as they arrived in the U.S. The small but impactful gesture reminded me that community care starts with simple acts of kindness.

Looking ahead, I’m excited to collaborate with JAFCO to help market a July 15th golf outing supporting Jewish Kids Family Matters. I’ll be working on the marketing details to increase donations and boost attendance, and I can’t wait to contribute to this event. I’ll also be managing social media for an upcoming Jewish Federation Event, focusing on the art theme for their communications.

Looking Forward: Growth in May and Beyond

May has been an inspiring month of action, advocacy, and community development. From transforming vacant lots into spaces of opportunity to helping refugee families and working on events that give back, I’m proud of the steps we’ve taken to create a more inclusive, sustainable Philadelphia. These projects are just the beginning, and I’m excited for what the future holds.

Let’s continue this momentum—one vacant lot, one fridge, one community at a time. Together, we can make our city greener, healthier, and more connected!