Sustainability Is Rooted In Community

Everyone should get equal access to sustainable resources and learn about what is available, which is why Sustaining Way is such an important organization. My name is Maggie Kelleher and I recently graduated from Furman University with a Bachelor of Science in Sustainability with a double major in Philosophy. I am so glad that Furman University and the Shi Institute have allowed me to do this fellowship post-graduation and explore my interests in the sustainability field more. 

This summer, I am a fellow with Sustaining Way and their Steward Youth Education program, in addition to other garden work. I became interested in this fellowship because I like that this position focuses on the education component of sustainability. It is extremely important to teach everyone, especially youth, to be aware of sustainability challenges, and how to live life more sustainably. I also like that they use their garden for some of this work and get people interested in sustainability with hands-on help and experience.

My responsibilities within the education component of the fellowship include helping the main education coordinator with lessons and instruction, taking photos of the group during activities, and helping manage volunteers. The students focus on a different topic of sustainability each week and learn through engaging lessons. These include presentations, guest speakers, experiential learning, garden work, and field trips. Some of the most engaging lessons have been a visit to the Roper Mountain Science Center, a tea workshop where students tasted teas from foraged plants, and a yoga lesson to teach them about healthy lifestyles. 

Outside of that role, I have helped with weeding and planting in the garden, food distribution for the Meals and Masks program in Nicholtown, and building a raised bed for their backyard garden program. The Meals and Masks program distributes food to community members for free from Sustaining Way’s fresh produce and donated food items, as well as meals from Project Host. The backyard garden program allows community members to have a raised bed built in their backyard for free, and even to have people maintain the garden if it is not possible for residents to. These programs allow the community to engage in sustainable lifestyles while also accounting for financial, physical, or other obstacles that may make these changes harder to implement on their own. 

Sustaining Way’s work is so important to the community because they bring necessities to communities that do not have regular access to them and also spread the message on the importance of sustainability to volunteers and community members. 

Organizations like Sustaining Way do a lot of work for the community and educate them about important topics surrounding sustainability as well. To help with this important work, you should look into volunteer opportunities in your area.