Courtney Luciana photo
Richard Watkins (at right) with fellow crew members Tuesday morning.
Two serviceberry trees went up Tuesday in Bill and Kate Washington’s front yard — marking the start of another season in New Haven of planting new life not only in the earth, but among people returning home from prison.
The planting at 372 Sherman Ave. was carried out by EMERGE Connecticut and Urban Resources Initiative (URI).
URI has planted over 6,000 trees in New Haven over the past 10 years. It has teamed up with EMERGE, which works to train ex-offenders for jobs, to carry out the program. (Click here, here and here to read about some of last season’s work.)
Local officials showed up at the planting Tuesday morning to cheer on a new season of the program.
Richard Watkins, one of the 11 crew members present, has been involved with EMERGE for three years. The program gave Watkins not only a stable second chance, but also success. Through EMERGE, he was quickly promoted to a supervisor, and a peer mentor. Watkins wore a sweatshirt from his own clothing business that signified his own personal mantra: “No ceilings”
“Recently, I was discharged from probation. I also obtained my license which I never thought of doing before because I was running around in the streets. I purchased a car,” Watkins said. “I also established my own LLC this past December. Being a peer mentor for me is about showing other proof that life can happen.”
Over 900 people every year get out of prison and come back to the city. In the state, the recidivism rate is at 60 percent in the first three years of someone’s reentry. Mayor Justin Elicker told the crowd that these numbers mean that society is failing.
“We’re failing because of the fact that people are going to prison in the first place and we’re not providing the resources and support to ensure that people have mentorship, have a librarian and social worker in every school, and have support if they’re facing mental health or substance abuse issues,” Elicker said. “We want to support you as a city to expand the work that you guys are doing.”
URI chief Colleen Murphy-Dunning and EMERGE chief Alden Woodcock.
“We’re an environmental organization but we want to use that as a vehicle for social change,” URI Executive Director Colleen Murphy-Dunning said. “Every tree that we plant on behalf of a New Haven resident is really a symbol about who plants the trees. They’re an expression all around the city of hope for change.
Bill and Kate Washington.
Homeowners Bill and Kate Washington said that they selected the serviceberry trees to be planted in their front yard because they want to invest in their community and themselves.
“Life always comes full circle. My husband and I have been given more than two chances in our lives,” Kate said. “We try to be the change that we want to see. At one point, I was working for a reentry program here, and we used to refer people to EMERGE.”
“I started like how many of you guys started,” Washington said. “I came in through the Roger Sherman halfway house and then went to the Walter Brooks House. I ended up becoming a counselor at both programs.”
EMERGE workers planting serviceberry trees.
Ra Hashim, Marquell Middleton, Quincy “Q” Taft, Reese Kett, and Watkins started digging out the dirt from each selected hole to plant the tree.
The first step involved finding the flare, which is the tree’s life line. The life line must be leveled up to the ground to look presentable.
The workers proceeded to cut the burlap off of the root ball before filling up the hole again with soil and mulch.
Hashim said that EMERGE has also provided parent classes, trauma classes, and therapy called “Real Talk.” Hashim said that the program has allowed the members to unlock their greater purpose in life while working as a collective. Hashim said that his goal is to work in food service and social justice.
“I’m passionate about changing the narrative and trying to make it a fair balance in the system,” Hashim said. “EMERGE meets you where you’re at and helping you progress so that you can keep on moving in life.”
Marquell Middleton (back), Quincy “Q” Taft (left), and Reese Kett (right).
“What I like about this program is that everyone has a voice,” said Taft, who’s landing a spot with the carpenters union. “I plan on sticking with everything and not forgetting the guys that helped me get here. I’m proud because I’ve come through a lot.”
William Tisdale, URI’s planting crew supervisor, shared with everyone how he used to sell drugs in the same streets years ago. Tisdale was hired by URI three years ago after having his hard work with EMERGE recognized by his crew and the community.
“I’m known in neighborhoods, and I know people,” Tisdale said. “I see the same people selling drugs today. I don’t judge them, but they know that my life is different now. I say, ‘How are you doing?’ and keep it moving.”
At the end of Tuesday’s job, each tree was watered and supported by stakes.
Emerge and URI admire their hard work.
“We’re planting new life,” Tisdale said.