Bushwick Garden plants seeds to bring community together

There's something growing at a garden in Bushwick, and it's not just the plants.
A sense of community is being fostered at The Good Life Garden on Goodwin Place, one neighbors could have never imagined a few years ago.

"This garden has, I really do believe, revolutionized our neighborhood," says Kofi Thomas, Good Life Garden founder.

The garden, which is now overflowing with vegetation and greenery, wasn't always so lush. Just a few short years ago it was overrun with trash.

"There was literally like pieces of a car, scattered around. There was broken bottles, and drug paraphernalia all over the place," says Thomas.

Thomas and a few others decided to get to work and clean up the space and months of nonstop cleaning later, the place had been transformed.

"It was dark, it was scary. Afterwards it was like light came," says Thomas.

Thomas says initially the goal was just to provide green resources lacking in the area.

"We live in a neighborhood that doesn't have a lot of access to healthy food. We have a lot people around here who suffer from diabetes or hypertension. We have a lot of schools around here that don't have a lot of green space," says Thomas.

Now they have all of that and more. The garden has become a place where classrooms can learn, artists can express, and the community can grow together.

"Part of that is just really opening the gates to people in the neighborhood and showing them that you know if you want to come and help, we are here. We can build community here,” says Thomas.