Ball Field Gets Put to a Better Use

For the last Friday seminar the CUSP fellows visited Added Value Herban Solutions. Located in a modified football field in Red Hook Brooklyn, the non-profit organization promotes urban agriculture through employing youth on the farm, visiting elementary schools, and hosting a weekly farmers market. Aley Kent, a Cornell Alumnus, also spent time with the students and informed them about her experience creating networks to connect farmers with the organization Heifer International.

The students had a hands on opportunity to learn about urban agriculture. They helped weed a vegetable patch, turn a hill of dirt into a flat area to plant in, and moved earth to into a flower bed.

Exercise your body, mind and spirit.

TRUCE fitness center is a part of the Harlem Children's Zone, non-profit, community-based organization that works to enhance the quality of life for children and families in Harlem. The center helps children and their families by hosting an after school and summer program that provides a safe environment for children to get involved in the community, receive homework help, and get exercise.

The CUSP trip to TRUCE began with a self defense workshop by Sensei Aziz. After the workshop the group watched the Sensei's pupils as they performed a karate demonstration.

Philson Warner, of Cornell Cooperative Extension, spoke to the group about his roof top garden project at HCZ. Warner works with hydroponic and aquaponic plant technology. His EarthBox project allows the children at HCZ to experience this new technology and see how agriculture is possible in the urban environment. After the plants are grown the children get the opportunity to sell the harvest at the farmers market. The proceeds of their sales goes toward their programming at HCZ.

Last but not least, the Cornell Urban Scholars also had a chance to show off their dance skills. A TRUCE staff member led the group through yoga stretches and an afro-Caribbean dance session.

Harlem Renaissance Tour

CUSP Co-Director Ken Reardon led a bus tour through Harlem on Friday July 6th. Starting at 92nd street the bus stopped at St. John the Divine Church, Striver’s Row, Columbia University, and the Apollo Theatre.

As the bus passed places such as The Cotton Club, City College, Sugar Hill, The Renaissance Casino and Ballroom, the Schomberg Center, and Bill Clinton’s Harlem office, Reardon explained the rich history of the sights and the impact it has had on Harlem.

From Homework Help to Circus Arts

Located on Hunts Point in the South Bronx, The Point is a nonprofit organization dedicated to community development, youth programming, and the arts. On Friday June 29th , the CUSP students visited The Point and learned about the after school and summer programming the center offers to elementary through teen-aged community members.

Maria, President and CEO of The Point and Cornell Alumnus, welcomed the group to the center and explained how the program started and operates. Adam, who is the A.C.T.I.O.N. Program Director and Community Development Associate, toured the group around the facility and explained some of the issues that the Hunts Point community faces; such as the Brown Field issue, asthma and employment problems, and the Green way initiative. Earl, the Youth Programs Coordinator, and Marie, the After School Program Director, also met with the group to answer questions.

After learning about The Point the students visited MUD/BONE, an art studio. The studio is a free gallery for local artists to display their work. The space also serves as a stage for actors and dancers, and art workshops.

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