New Kensington CDC would like to submit a joint nomination for two of our outstanding AmeriCorps VISTAs – Ariel Diliberto and Angela Taurino. Since last summer these two young ladies have taken the lead on Sustainable 19125, a community-led initiative to make our zip code the greenest in Philadelphia. This dynamic duo has engaged hundreds of neighbors of varying demographics in a holistic effort to combine environmental education with community building and organizing. From recycling bin distribution to public policy, these VISTAs have worked in tandem to engage residents on all things “green.”

Ariel has excelled through the Sustainable 19125 program with her ability to convey environmental concepts to neighbors with varying levels of understanding. Ariel has assisted neighbors in a low-income minority neighborhood on an urban farming project which introduces concepts of healthy eating and vacant land management at a basic level. In an economically depressed area of Philadelphia plagued with drugs and crime, she has helped inner-city youth plant and harvest vegetables for the first time in their lives.

On the other end of the spectrum, Ariel has also helped organize a series of lectures known as Deep Green Seminars. These events go beyond the novice understanding of green concepts, allowing for more in-depth understanding of topics relating to environmental stewardship. In January Ariel organized a Deep Green Seminar with the Program & Policy Director from Philadelphia’s Office of Sustainability, where over a dozen neighbors discussed challenges from a policy and city government perspective.

Angela brings to the table a great sense of organization. Her skill level with Microsoft Excel is beyond reproach. She has taken on the task of organizing Sustainable 19125’s data and has made it easily accessible in one location. Her commitment to landfill diversion is also indisputable. Since joining NKCDC Angela has helped distribute over 300 recycling bins to neighbors. Angela also works diligently on the Compost Coop, a community-run initiative to produce and distribute compost amongst its membership. Since joining NKCDC Angela has helped increase coop the membership by 20%.

As a team Angela and Ariel have taken NKCDC’s participation in a local community-supported agriculture program to the next level, making Sustainable 19125 a model for outreach and local produce distribution in our part of the city. Through the Farm to Families program organized by the St. Christopher’s Foundation, Angela and Ariel are consistently distributing upwards of 100 boxes of fresh, local produce to low and moderate income residents on a weekly basis (a rate which overshadows other Farm to Families distribution sites by dozens).

Angela and Ariel have brought enthusiasm to Sustainable 19125 that has become infectious within our team. Their new ideas are stimulating our program and helping to empower residents to adopt sustainable practices in their daily lives. Because of their hard work Sustainable 19125 is looked to by others as a leader in the local green scene. Their work ethic and dedication is why we feel it necessary to nominate them for this award.