My name is Jodie and I'm one of the founders of Friends of McGolrick Park, a group dedicated to the beautification and stewardship of McGolrick Park. I started the group after noticing an uptick of sanitation issues here. We act as advocates for the park and its needs.
Throughout my career I've been behind the scenes on a production basis, and I have the skill set to coalesce a group of people who feel passionately about a certain issue, not just talking about it or complaining. It makes me feel good to take action, the same way that someone might find mindfulness and meditation rewarding,
I think that my grandparents led a really great example of being very charitable people. From an early age I saw that. It was just built into my identity as a Jewish person to do Tikkun Olam–to give back, to heal the world.
My daughter is very excited by opportunities to volunteer. I want to show her that it just takes showing up. My entire understanding of the world is that giving back is part of being a human and I want to pass that on to her. There's so much opportunity here and all over New York City to give back.
I think about my ancestors who fled where they were experiencing hardships to come to this country and how fortunate I am to spend time giving back. I don't wanna lose that sense. I don't want whatever's happening in the world to feel like that takes away from the really strong desire for people who worked really hard to get here so that I can sit here, too.
What I've learned throughout this process is that the more the merrier. There are a lot of different views in our neighborhood and I really hope the work I do feels inclusive. I want everyone to feel welcome. It’s such an immersive, joyous experience to be with your neighbors in this park, experiencing something together. I hope that our community feels like there's a group that is looking after them and advocating for their best interests.
Anyone can be an advocate. If you really care about something, you should speak up.
Throughout my career I've been behind the scenes on a production basis, and I have the skill set to coalesce a group of people who feel passionately about a certain issue, not just talking about it or complaining. It makes me feel good to take action, the same way that someone might find mindfulness and meditation rewarding,
I think that my grandparents led a really great example of being very charitable people. From an early age I saw that. It was just built into my identity as a Jewish person to do Tikkun Olam–to give back, to heal the world.
My daughter is very excited by opportunities to volunteer. I want to show her that it just takes showing up. My entire understanding of the world is that giving back is part of being a human and I want to pass that on to her. There's so much opportunity here and all over New York City to give back.
I think about my ancestors who fled where they were experiencing hardships to come to this country and how fortunate I am to spend time giving back. I don't wanna lose that sense. I don't want whatever's happening in the world to feel like that takes away from the really strong desire for people who worked really hard to get here so that I can sit here, too.
What I've learned throughout this process is that the more the merrier. There are a lot of different views in our neighborhood and I really hope the work I do feels inclusive. I want everyone to feel welcome. It’s such an immersive, joyous experience to be with your neighbors in this park, experiencing something together. I hope that our community feels like there's a group that is looking after them and advocating for their best interests.
Anyone can be an advocate. If you really care about something, you should speak up.
Jodie outside the Friends of McGolrick Park storage shed A list of some of the park’s ailments and needs Jodie looks out onto the park on a busy weekend Pickers, clippers, buckets, and other tools used to keep the park clean Life imitating art in McGolrick Park A view onto the park from its east side entrance Jodie silhouetted in the park pavilion’s windows
