Growing in the Garden: Pedro Gonzales's Leadership Journey

On the eve of preparing for the 72^nd Ramble Festival earlier this month at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, Pedro Gonzales meshed right in with other staff members and volunteers helping to add finishing touches to this beloved community event that brings art, antiques, rare books, a farmers market and the largest plant sale to the South Florida community.  

Pedro is supporting event planning and educational programming at Fairchild Tropical Botanical Garden through this year’s AmeriCorps Public Allies Miami program. He brings prior experience tutoring children and a passion for biology and horticulture to his job at Fairchild. Since beginning his service journey in August, Pedro has demonstrated dedication, commitment and leadership at his host organization and in the community.

On any given day, you can find Pedro applying new gardening and teaching techniques, assisting staff with educational programs, and organizing field studies for youth who visit the garden during the week.

“I like the challenge of making myself and the information about what we do at Fairchild make sense to the little ones,” Pedro said. “I’ve gotten better at teaching.”

Not only has the Public Allies experience helped Pedro develop his natural leadership abilities, but it has also given him newfound confidence in public speaking, facilitating and mentoring youth. He's looking forward to the remainder of his service year—working to enhance “green initiatives” and promote educational awareness to the youth he serves each day.

Summer in Miami: shows, summits and freebies

Amnesty International presents: Taxi to the Dark Side

Amnesty is screening the film Taxi to the Dark Side, which won the 2007 Academy Award for a documentary feature. The film portrays the murder of an Afghan taxi driver who was beaten to death by American soldiers while being detained at the Bagram Air base. A discussion about the documentary will follow.

Where: Freedom Tower--600 Biscayne Blvd, Miami
When: June 4, 5 pm

Public Allies Showcase in the Garden

As a Public Ally myself I have to offer a shameless, completely biased plug for this event. Here's what you need to know:

1. There will be food, drinks and live entertainment. A few of my fellow Allies are performing (spoiler: there will be break-dancing), along with a few Allies-allies (friends).
2. It only costs $15 to spend the evening at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden. Even if you aren't interested in partying down with the Allies (we're fun!), having a chance to relax in a beautiful garden has to be worth $15.
3. Public Allies rocks. As Allies, we spend 10 months working for community organizations, creating our own service projects and attending leadership trainings. This is rewarding for the participants, but also for the community. Your donations at this event will support PA-Miami.

You can buy tickets online or at the door.

Where: Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden--10901 Old Cutler Rd., Coral Gables
When: June 10, 6 pm

Speech and Debate

I think we could all use a laugh these days, and HSC can use your support. Proceeds from this showing of the comedy Speech and Debate will support HSC's programs. There will be a cocktail reception following the show and HSC will honor some of our dear community partners, Linda Carmona-Sanchez and Miguel Milanes.

Where: GableStage--1200 Anastasion Ave., Coral Gables
When: June 18, 7:30 pm

The Greater Everglades Food Summit

"A conference to envision a local food system that is vibrant, healthy, just, sustainable and resilient! This summit will include a who's-who of local food professionals and enthusiasts from South Florida, providing and unprecedented networking and partnership-building opportunity...." Learn more and register.

Where: Miami-Dade College Wolfson Campus--300 NE 2 Ave, Miami, room 3201

When: July 12, 8 am - 6:30 pm; July 13, 8 am - 1:30 pm

Free Sundays at Fairchild

Fairchild is offering free admission on Sundays in August. You had me at "free." These kinds of opportunities are what make living in Miami so wonderful. Fresh air, beautiful plants, no cost: yes, please.

Where: Fairchild, 10901 Old Cutler Rd., Coral Gables
When: 9:30 am - 4:30 pm, Sundays in August