Mayor Nutter Addresses Roots to Reentry Graduates

Awbury Arboretum Hosts Graduation Ceremony

On July 16th, Awbury Arboretum hosted a Graduation ceremony for 2011 participants of the Roots to Reentry Program.  "R2R" (as it's called colloquially) is a green jobs training program headed up by the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society in partnership with an array of local organizations, businesses, and individuals including (but not limited to) the Philadelphia Prison System, KJK Associates, Awbury Arboretum, Bartram's Garden, the Tookany-Tacony Frankford Watershed Partnership, and Weaver's Way Coop. R2R provides inmates at the Philadelphia Prison System with hands-on training in landscaping and horticulture, and pathways toward meaningful employment upon their release. This summer, Awbury hosted 3 groups of Roots to Reentry trainees, including the first group of women to participate in the program.  As they learned, participants in the Roots to Reentry program helped to maintain and improve the arboretum, keeping it attractive and safe for Awbury’s many visitors.  Mayor Nutter was on hand at the ceremony, held at Awbury's Agricultural Village, to congratulate the graduates and show his support for the program.  Click here to read more about Roots to Reentry from the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society.

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