This international group of GE volunteers, came from very different backgrounds, both culturally and socioeconomically than those of the children they were paired with; special friendships and understanding developed throughout the day of gardening.

“I personally like this exercise of working with kids. These kids are challenged and the more we can direct their thinking, the better the world will be,” said GE volunteer Rakesh Bhardwaj of Bangalore, India. “GE is about edge and big heart.”

The initiative was supported by the GE Foundation, the philanthropic organization of the General Electric Company, which invests in projects that improve educational opportunity and strengthen community organizations in GE communities around the world. Driven by the knowledge that a quality education ushers in a lifetime of opportunities, the GE Foundation focuses primarily in the field of education. It creates and supports programs that improve student achievement, strengthen teacher development and build the capacity of schools, universities and communities to educate the citizens and workforce of tomorrow. The event marked a collaboration between the GE Foundation and Partnership with Children - a nonprofit social service agency serving 5,000 of New York City's at-risk children, teens and their families.

“Partnerships between nonprofits and corporations are becoming increasingly important especially now when our children need additional educational resources,” said Michelle Sidrane, executive director, Partnership with Children. “GE’s work with our youth is a perfect example of one company’s vision and commitment to making a difference in the lives of at-risk children.”

“This has been a great experience and my first time to come to Crotonville to meet such a large international group of people,” said GE volunteer Robert Alarie of Montreal, Canada. “It is exciting to see young children wanting to improve their environment and it’s a pleasure to bring something to them. It’s unique.”

Barbara Cavallo, clinical director, Partnership with Children said, “The day was an enriching experience for our children both in terms of making the garden more beautiful but also in terms of introducing our children to GE volunteers from around the United States and world to build not only beautiful school gardens, but community. Community members, parents, teachers and school administrators are grateful and have commented on how wonderful the gardens look.”

Partnership with Children, formerly Big Sisters, inc, is a recipient of a GE grant to expand and replicate it’s Open Heart-Open Mind school based program in Brooklyn, New York. The agency, founded in 1908, today provides early intervention, preventive services and counseling to 5000 children and youth at risk of failing in school, dropping out or being removed from their families. It is committed to strengthening the emotional, social and cognitive skills of at-risk children so that they can succeed in school, in society and in their lives. Partnership with Children delivers two different programs to accomplish its mission: Open Heart - Open Mind which is an elementary and middle school-based program targeting K-8th grade children and Life Steps, a preventive program which has as its goal keeping teens and their families together.

Mrs. Watson, who lives in the community and whose son, Keon, is a Partnership with Children program participant said, “I think it’s spectacular that GE and the children are beautifying the school and doing something for the community at the same time. It teaches the children that there is more to life than crime.”

The children expressed their gratitude in individual notes to their gardening partners. They wrote:

Dear Rakesh,
I liked the whole time that we spent together. Also I enjoyed when we were having lunch, when you were talking about where you lived and how things go about in your country. Then I also want to thank you for all the hard work that you’ve done with us. Also for coming all the way from India to New York. Last but not least for giving us all of your respect and attention.
Sincerely, Ashley Andrews

Thank you, Thomas, for making a bench. It looks beautiful because now we have a bench to sit on in our garden. You taught me how to drill and how to measure things. Thanks to you I am better at math now. You taught me a little about the origin of country music.
From, Nicholas

Thank you for coming to our school, Akiro. It was very fun working with you. I think that we make a great team. I hope you had fun too. I’m also thankful you guys came because we couldn’t have done it without you. I think that we make a great team because while I was digging a hole in the dirt you were holding the mums for me. I’m happy you were my partner because you are a very funny person and you’re a hard worker. I would like to wish you the best of luck in the G.E. and have fun in Japan. By the way our garden looks beautiful.
Sincerely, Mazin Samhan