Jersey City Parks Coalition Nature Journaling Team : RESCHEDULED TO SUNDAY, OCT 16, 2022

RESCHEDULED TO SUNDAY, OCT 16, 2022 DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER

Athena Flora Toledo
Athena Flora Toledo is a Latina artist who grew up in Kapolei, Hawaii. She is currently a graduate student and studying to become a licensed art therapist at the School of Visual Arts in Manhattan.

Athena has extensive experience working with community groups and organizations. She has worked as an art teacher’s assistant at the Ethical Community Charter School in Jersey City. Athena also worked with gallery tours and children’s workshops at the mana contemporary museum of art.

Athena Toledo currently lives and works in Jersey City Heights. Athena’s goal is to work in facilities around Jersey City as an Art Therapist, leading workshops in open studio settings.

Roxana Marroquin

Roxana Marroquin is an artist, art therapist, herbalist and community gardener. With deep roots in Hudson County, Roxana completed a Bachelors of Art degree in photography from New Jersey City University and Master of Science degree in Art Therapy from the College of New Rochelle. In 2012, Roxana was introduced to community gardening though Jersey City’s adopt-a-lot program and trained under master herbalist Karen M. Rose of Sacred Vibes Apothecary as a spiritual herbalist. Roxana centers ancestral wisdom, nature based spirituality, community and the transformative practice of art making in her practice.

Jersey City Parks Coalition (Event Host)
JCParks.org Founded in 2005, the Jersey City Parks Coalition is a private, not-for-profit 501(c)3 organization that assists in the development and maintenance of Jersey City’s parks and public spaces. The mission of the Jersey City Parks Coalition is to empower residents to develop, renovate, use and maintain their community parks and public spaces of Jersey City; thereby revitalizing neighborhoods and lifting communal and human spirits. The Coalition aspires to build a great city-wide organization that sets the standard for, and spreads the principles of, democracy through community empowerment and the principles of world-class park management for the betterment of all residents. The Coalition is committed to sustaining this operating model to provide a legacy for future generations of Jersey City residents and all users of the park and public space. Beginning with three member parks, The Jersey City Parks Coalition has grown to more than 20 community and parks groups that maintain, beautify and organize activities for their parks and surrounding neighborhoods. All residents are welcome to join any of the member organizations working on parks and public spaces near you. Since 2005, the Parks Coalition has empowered residents and volunteers to get involved in greening projects, resulting in healthier and more sustainable communities throughout the City. Beginning with three member parks, the Jersey City Parks Coalition has grown to more than 20 community and parks groups that maintain, beautify and organize programs and activities for their parks and surrounding neighborhoods. The coalition believes in protecting, increasing and caring for our precious open spaces. For more information visit us at: JCParks.org

West Side Community Alliance | W.S.C.A. (Event Co-Sponsor)

www.jcwsca.org

The West Side Community Alliance was founded in 2010 by merchants and residents of the West Side in order to improve and revitalize our section of Jersey City. WSCA volunteers work to bring art, culture and a sense of community to the West Side of Jersey City.

WSCA sponsors and supports the Farmers Market at Lincoln Park and many other events.
The Farmers Market at Lincoln Park was founded in 2014 as a way to bring fresh food and a sense of community to the neighborhood. Vendors including Jersey Buzz, Circle Brook Farm, RH Farms and Elios’s Bakery have sold their wares to an eager audience. Programming, including free yoga classes, boot camp, crochet lessons, music and more have been enjoyed as part of the market. The Market has changed over years to suit the neighborhood and is currently located at the West Side and Belmont entrance to the Park, from June through November.

WSCA is proud to have led several West Side Avenue cleanups. Volunteers combed West Side Avenue and Duncan Avenue, cleaning and beautifying our major commercial strip.

In September 2015, WSCA sponsored The First Annual Chili Cookoff which drew over 250 people in just two hours to sample homemade chili from our area’s aspiring chefs and home cooks. Prizes were awarded for the People’s Choice (popular vote) and the Critic’s Choice (chosen by judges) as to which contestants had the tastiest chili. The Chili Cookoff continues every year.

In December 2015, WSCA sponsored the JC West Side Holiday Craft Fair at the Gallo Center in Lincoln Park. Spanning two days, vendors sold gifts from handspun yarn and homemade dog treats, to locally sourced honey and beautiful handmade jewelry to local residents. The Holiday Craft Fair continues every year and has most recently been held at St. Dominic Academy.