Englewood Veterans Garden

09/27/2026

University of Chicago's College freshman student Orientation, the University Community Service Center (UCSC)

Dear Partners,

As part of the University of Chicago's College Orientation, the University Community Service Center (UCSC), has created an opportunity for our 2400 incoming students to meet Chicagoans who are working to keep Chicago thriving through various forms of civic engagement on Friday September 25th from 8:30 a.m. to noon (breakfast provided).

As part of a small panel, you will have an opportunity to speak to one or two consecutive groups of incoming first year undergraduates on the UChicago campus. The conversation is intended to support the students as they learn about their new home, and we will give you space to share about your work, your experiences of Chicago, and your hopes for their engagement with the city and the South Side over the next four years.

We hope that this entry-point for engagement helps to inspire and spark student interest to literally "Engage Chicago” throughout their college careers, and that they may consider getting involved with your organization during the school year. We aim to create an engaging avenue for discussion, interaction, and dialogue.

My fellow panelists were LEFT TO RIGHT:

Eileen Torpy
Associate Director for Student Civic Programs & Leadership
University Community Service Center
The University of Chicago

Jeremy J. Ly
National Manager of Program Launch
Genesys Works

Cordia Pugh
Director
Veterans By Veteran Services
Founder & Director
Englewood Veterans Garden

Jarquetta Egeston
Managing Director, xchange Chicago

Accompanied at breakfast table with
Dr Carol Y Collum
True Believers Community

09/22/2026

09/10/2026

💪 A FLASH from our past!💪




https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1EKX6WoZBm/

09/04/2026

The next time you meet Brother Leonard on the Garden campus give him a big HIGH 5!
He is our MAIN MAN to:
*Mowing
*Weeding
*Composting
*Keep Garden beds in order
*Assisting Gardeners

👍🏾Many thanks Brother Leonard!👍🏾

We can't do it without YOU!

08/30/2026

The Englewood Veterans Garden 2026 Ready-Vet-GROW project!👌🫶👌

08/19/2026

THIS is how Families used to spend time together...

Let's get back to our roots!

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/191HzyRniE/

08/11/2026

🥒 NOTHING tastes better than knowing exactly where your food came from! 🥬

07/29/2026

💪 THE MOST RADICAL THING WE CAN DO IN THE CITY IS GROW FOOD! 💪

05/15/2026

🫶2026 University of Chicago Community Impact Awards🫶

First, I would like to thank UCHICAGO UNIVERSITY COMMUNITY SERVICE CENTER for setting into motion the Outstanding Community Mentor award and the recognition it brings to it's recipient. I would also like to thank my Nominator for the award recommendation. THANK YOU!

Growing people as you grow food isn’t about what you plant - - its about what you GROW! For us at the Englewood Veterans Garden this means growing food, of course. However, it also means growing friendships and building community, creating a safe haven in a part of the city where many people are fearful to spend time with their family outdoors.

The work developing the projects with the Englewood Veterans garden with UCHICAGO VOLUNTEERS is symbolic of Englewood and our community history – we are grounded in Chicago’s development and deeply rooted in our agriculture heritage and community commitment.

WE ALL CAN BE agents of change in the transformation of communities as we volunteer our time and as we engage with each other to affirm that every resident who lives in Englewood matter!

I accept this award in the knowing that our collective efforts as residents and student volunteers are really “Making a Difference” in the work we do daily in making Englewood a more viable community!