BRIDGEWATER: “The SummerS Unit 2020 leadership team recently completed a meditation garden on the Richard Hall community campus, looking at” a place of remembrance, meditation and comfort for those affected, lost, inspired and forever affected by the COVID-19 epidemic. ” Mental Health Center.
Class members joined community partners last month to celebrate the Meditation Garden. Somerset County Commissioner Paul Drake, Director of Somerset Link, cut the ribbon at the ceremony to officially open the garden, and completed the class community service project.
“Every year, Leadership Somerset class members are required to complete a community-based project,” Drake said. The social unrest required by 2020 will make completing this project a more difficult challenge for this class. I admire the team’s commitment and perseverance until 2021 to create a meditation garden that understands Kovi’s impact on our community and provides a friendly space. Let people sit, reflect and enjoy the garden ”
Leadership Sumerset is a one-year community leadership program for adults living or working in Somerset County. Class members meet monthly to explore Somerset County through a variety of topics, and each class completes one or more group community service projects.
Towards the beginning of the year, in the program, the 2020 segment gathered for their monthly meetings, not in person. In the midst of such a challenging year, the legacy of the Somerset class was part of the concept that inspired the meditation garden, the healing and the memorial.
Despite their formal program commitment, Completed in December 2020, the unit is stable and has completed its project. One of the project leaders, Rita Donald, thanked her classmates for their commitment and hard work on the “Hot Sweat Saturday”. Finish the garden.
“It was a great opportunity for the community to get to know each other,” said Donald.
“It was such a challenging year with the epidemic,” said class member Jessica Dele. It was difficult, but they all agreed to complete the project. He is alone.
After exploring potential locations, the Richard Hall Community Center for Mental Health Center was selected as the site on the Vogue Drive across the road from the Bridge Library Library. The garden is within walking distance of a middle-class, nonprofit youth service organization. Both organizations enjoy gardening and maintenance.
Members of the public are welcome to visit and enjoy the mediation garden.
Beds and chairs surround the circular garden decorated with plants and flowerbeds to gather or create a quiet atmosphere for solitude.
The garden is the result of the joint efforts of volunteers and donors. The 2021 Somerset County Vo-Tech Carpentry Room was built and donated. Central Jersey’s nursery, ambulance gardens, and nursery and coffee plantations provided plants and shrubs. Somerset County Park Commission and Somerset County Master Gardeners guided the project development and helped Summerville landscape architect Katherine Hughes design the garden. Millend Bernal, a member of the leadership team who was unable to complete the program due to her departure from the state, donated $ 1,000 to support the project.
Somerset’s 2022 leadership class will be adopted in October. For more information, contact Denise Katula, Director of Management Somerset Program at leaderhipsomerset@co.somerset.nj.us or visit the county website.