Beloved Community,

We’re thrilled to honor Francesca Williamson as our Volunteer of the Year! Francesca’s passion and tireless work have inspired our team and community. Her leadership in the compost program and commitment to sustainable practices have been invaluable. Francesca has given countless hours, never hesitating to dive in with a smile and lend a hand wherever needed. Her dedication reminds us of the power of individual contributions in making our vision for a resilient food system a reality. Here’s a note straight from Franchesca:

“It has been a joy to volunteer with Growing Hope this year. My family is from African American communities that migrated north from the rural south, so food and caring for the land are core parts of my culture and upbringing. As a child, I remember pulling weeds in my grandmother’s tomato rows and watching her preserve vegetables. My family regularly cooked and shared food with others — for church events, during community service programs, and when visiting elders and the ‘sick and shut-in’ (a catch-all term for people experiencing illness and living with disabilities). So, when I learned about Growing Hope, I was immediately drawn to the food justice mission and values. I started volunteering with the compositing team and learned a lot about bees, food waste-to-compost cycles, and local food system issues. As a newcomer to the area, joining the compost team has also been a way to connect with people, the community, and the land. Overall, I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the impactful work Growing Hope is doing. I look forward to staying involved because Growing Hope feels like home.”

Our deep connection to the intersecting communities we serve and collaborate with drives everything we do. Through programs like youth leadership, food access initiatives, and partnerships with local organizations, we co-create pathways to address the interconnected challenges of food insecurity, educational inequities, climate change, and land access. This work is not about replicating old models but reimagining what’s possible—embracing innovation rooted in optimism and our shared humanity. As we reflect on the past year and look toward the future, we remain steadfast in pursuing systemic change, working toward a regenerative, inclusive food system for Ypsilanti and beyond.

Thank you for being part of the collaborative spirit and care that define Growing Hope!

In Gratitude,

Julius Buzzard