Zarea’s Story
Zarea, current Operations Manager and former youth intern
I have been involved with Urban Roots since 2016! It all started when I graduated from 8th grade, and I first started working in the Market Garden program as an intern. As the years went on, I started to enjoy my job more and more and continued to progress in the program. In 2020-21, I started to slowly transition into the administrative side of things. I’ve had a wonderful time exploring and learning in this field and am now Urban Roots’ Operations Manager.
Zarea (center) working as a youth intern at Rivoli Bluffs Farm and Restoration Site in 2019.
II have learned so many things during my time here at Urban Roots that it’s hard to narrow them down! A few big lessons that I’ve learned are:
- Community really does matter–it truly takes a village.
- My voice matters no matter who is trying to silence it, no matter how old I am or what I look like.
- The best thing I can do is to try, fail, and try again!
- Failing means I’m learning and curious, and these are the only ways to achieve success.
The impact of these lessons have been huge, and I now work to uplift my peers and help out my community.
“What’s the most valuable seed that you and Urban Roots have planted, grown, and harvested in yourself or our community?”
One of the most valuable seeds that Urban Roots and I have planted, grown, and harvested into our community is how to grow your own food!! Literally teaching how to plant, grow, and then harvest and then providing space to do so – when I was in Youth Council as an intern I suggested we start a community garden for those around us and it actually happened! Years later we now have a community garden that’s fully functioning and being so much joy.
-Zarea, current Operations Manager and former youth intern
Zarea at Rivoli Bluffs Farm and Restoration Site in 2022.
