The garden at the Watson Elementary School on Eastern Avenue is getting some help from 21st Century Program teacher Jennifer Vincent. After being planted by the school's children several weeks ago, the 21st Century Program will be inviting children to continue working on the garden in a few weeks. In the meantime, someone has to pull the weeds and water the plants. Several volunteers, including technical assistant Dan King from the Sharing the Harvest YMCA Farm in Dartmouth. "The plants looked like they needed some help, so Dan agreed to come over and advise us," stated Vincent. "Though we've had some rain, a little more water will help, too," she added. Other volunteers included parent Jennifer Thiboutot and her two children, Trish Hunter from Bristol Elder Services, and Jean Pacheco, also of the 21st Century Program. Shannon Hebda who manages several of the People, Incorporated group residences will also be bringing her clients over each week to keep up with the weeding and watering. "By the time the 21st Century program starts in a few weeks, the garden should be doing fine,' said Vincent. "I want the children to be able to harvest some of the vegetables to learn where our food comes from," she stated. Click here for a three-minute video of the project. For more information about the project, contact Jennifer Vincent at 617-999-9462.

(Top row, left and center) Volunteer Jennifer Thiboutot pulls weeds from the garden in front of the school where her children, Jonathan and Emily, have joined her. (Top row, righ) Bristol Elder Services Director of Planning and Community Development Trish Hunter also volunteer to get the garden going again. (Row two) Emily Thiboutot checks to see if the plants need more water while Jean Paheco of the 21st Century Program helps Emily's mother with the weeding. (Row three, left) Dan King from the Dartmouth YMCA talks with school custodian Armond Rezendes. (Row three, center) School teacher Jennifer Vincent talks with volunteer Dan King with the school garden behind them. (Bottom row) Both Jennifers, Dan and Armond greet Shannon Hebda from People Incorporated who will be having group home clients come by to help with the garden each week.