Where healing takes root: Roots for resilience and the power of youth gardening
By: Marielle Manansala
Meet Roots for Resilience coordinators Muzamil and Mahalia who grow community from the ground up
At York University, a youth-led gardening initiative aims to empower racialized youth and transform urban gardening into a space for community—one garden bed at a time.
Between balancing school and work, volunteering was never really a priority for me. Of course, I understood the various personal, social, and professional benefits of community service, but I just never indulged in such, as I didn’t see how unpaid work could fit into my schedule. However, over time, I had a moment to ruminate about my perspective on volunteering; I began to see it as an opportunity to build new relationships, discover new cultures, and find a deeper connection to the world around me.
Out of all the experiences I’ve had so far, one that truly affirmed this shift was my involvement with Roots for Resilience, a weekly gardening initiative held at York University created by and for Black and Brown youth. This program invites racialized youth to reconnect with the land, reclaim cultural knowledge, and explore the radical potential of urban gardening, all within York U’s campus. Moreover, it invites a welcoming environment that prioritizes culture and community, a place where learning and empowerment can truly take root.
In this interview, I sat down with Muzamil and Mahalia, the volunteer coordinators and community organizers for this program, as I’m curious to learn more about the story behind this initiative and the greater significance of gardening within racialized communities.
Where Roots and Resilience Meet
At the heart of Roots for Resilience are both Muzamil and Mahalia, the volunteer coordinators for this project and today’s sustainable leaders. Through their leadership, this garden has become more than just a plot of soil, but a platform for environmental justice and empowerment.
1. Can you introduce yourself and your role with Roots for Resilience?
MUZAMIL: “Thank you for the introduction. I’m a York University alumnus with a degree in Sustainable Environmental Management, and a strong passion for empowering communities through environmental action. In my role with Roots for Resilience, I oversee the planning and delivery of workshops, lead on-the-ground stewardship efforts, and serve as both a knowledge sharer and learner. My work bridges environmental education with hands-on community engagement—whether that’s guiding residents in tree planting, restoring green spaces, or fostering a deeper connection between people and the natural environment.”
MAHALIA: “My name is Mahalia, and I’m starting my second year of law school at Osgoode Hall. I work for the Black Environmental Initiative as a program assistant, mainly helping to organize Roots for Resilience. It’s been such a privilege to help foster community and connection to nature in this capacity, and I’ve been fortunate to learn so much about my own stewardship of the environment.”
2. How did you become involved in Roots for Resilience, and what drew you to take on a leadership role in this space?
MUZAMIL: “My involvement with Roots for Resilience began when it was still just an idea. I knew I wanted to spend my summers outdoors, and I realized many others did too, so I thought, ‘Why not garden together?’ In the early planning stages, I didn’t set out to take leadership role. But after a few summers of working side-by-side with community members, I’ve naturally grown into one. What draws me most to leadership is creating safe, welcoming spaces where people can connect, collaborate, and find joy together.”
MAHALIA: “At the time, I was taking a break from school and looking for community. Being involved in the program as a participant is definitely what drove me to want to take on a leadership role. I wanted to learn what it takes to put together a program that connected so many important issues, and felt that some of my own experience in advocacy could be valuable to the team.”
3. How did Roots for Resilience begin, and what was the original goal behind it?
MUZAMIL: “Roots for Resilience began as a simple desire to spend more time outdoors during the summer, but quickly grew into something with much deeper community impact. The idea was to create a space where we could share knowledge on urban agriculture and its many benefits, improving food literacy, fostering sustainability, and building stronger community connections. From the start, our focus was on engaging racialized youth, many of whom face limited access to environmental programming and green spaces. We wanted to address social isolation while providing a hands-on, culturally relevant way to connect with the environment. To date, Roots for Resilience has engaged over 200 people, transforming a community garden into a hub for learning, collaboration, and stewardship. What began as a summer exploration has become a platform for empowering marginalized communities through environmental action.”
4. Why is it important for this space to center Black and Brown Youth specifically? What do you think changes when the land is stewarded by communities who have historically been excluded from it?
MUZAMIL: “This space centers black and brown youth because there’s a real scarcity of safe, intentional spaces where they can engage with the environment, learn about sustainability, and see themselves reflected in environmental leadership. Many racialized communities face both systemic barriers and cultural disconnection from land-based practices, so creating access and belonging is critical. When black and brown youth steward the land, it’s more than just planting or gardening. It’s a reclamation. They reconnect with ancestral knowledge, agricultural traditions, and ecological practices that have often been erased or undervalued. This process strengthens identity, builds community pride, and challenges the narrative that environmentalism is a space they don’t belong in. In urban environments where nature can feel distant or inaccessible, these spaces become powerful symbols of resilience, showing that the land can be cared for, restored, and celebrated by the very communities who have historically been excluded from it.”
MAHALIA: “I would agree with Muzamil completely. I think it’s so important to create intentional spaces for black and brown youth to connect to the environment. I think it can be vital to learn about food sovereignty and access to environmental justice. But I also think it’s just so important to have a space to come together. Growing up, I was often told that hiking and other outdoor activities were a “white” thing, and I think that sentiment still persists and does harm in a lot of places. I hope Roots for Resilience can be a part of reversing that.”
Gardening as a Cultural and Political Practice
As I reflect on my shift towards community-based work, I’ve come to see gardening as more than a way of producing food. It is a cultural and political practice, yet also a space for reconnection and reciprocity. At Roots for Resilience, gardening has become a space for collective healing, honoring the histories held in the land, while tending to plants and to one another.
5. What do you think about your relationship with nature through this work?
MUZAMIL: “My relationship with nature has deepened in every aspect of my life through this work. It’s not just about the time I spend in community gardens or at planting events; it’s also influenced my daily habits and values. I’ve brought more plants into my home, I prioritize supporting regenerative and organic farming when I shop, and I’m more intentional about how I consume and live. This work has also made me more curious and adventurous. I find myself seeking out hidden natural getaways, exploring trails, and appreciating the diverse beauty that exists within Canada. More than anything, it’s taught me that our connection to nature isn’t static; it grows the more we nurture it. The stewardship work I do has become both a professional mission and a personal way of life.”
MAHALIA: “My relationship to nature has also deepened since joining the program. I’ve picked up skills and knowledge I’m not sure I would otherwise have access to. This experience has certainly made me think more about my connection to nature and my impact as a part of it. Recently, I’ve even been seriously considering pursuing environmental law, I would say largely influenced by my experience with Roots for Resilience.”
6. Are there any particular plants/herbs or practices that are personal to you? If so, why? How does that connection show up in your work with Roots for Resilience or how you relate to the land today?
MUZAMIL: “Two plants that I’ve grown especially fond of are tomatoes and garlic. I don’t have a deep childhood connection to tomatoes, but over time, I’ve grown to love how versatile they are, whether fresh in a salad, cooked into a sauce, or preserved for later. Garlic, on the other hand, I value for both its medicinal qualities and the way it elevates almost any dish. As someone who loves to cook, fresh, high-quality produce is essential to me, so I put a lot of care into growing it. That same care shows up in my work with Roots for Resilience, teaching others not just how to grow plants, but how to appreciate the value of fresh, sustainable food. These plants remind me that growing food is about more than nourishment; it’s about creativity, connection, and sharing something meaningful with others.”
MAHALIA: “I think the practice of gardening and farming in general is something that has been pretty personal to my family. But unfortunately, growing up in the city, I didn’t have much opportunity to engage with it until Roots for Resilience and Maloca. It’s been so wonderful to be able to talk to my grandparents about our now shared gardening experience, and to experiment with growing things from Jamaica, where my family is from.”
7. How do you plan on implementing traditional/ancestral knowledge in growing food to gardening in urban spaces? Do you see gardening as a way to reclaim culture or ancestral knowledge, especially for youth who may feel disconnected from land or tradition? If so, in what ways do you see that happening through Roots for Resilience?
MUZAMIL: “I particularly like implementing ancestral knowledge through the concept of harambee (collective action) and umoja. These values remind us that every person plays an essential role in the success of the whole, whether planting seeds, tending soil, or sharing harvests. I see gardening as a way to reclaim culture and ancestral knowledge, especially for youth who may feel disconnected from the land. At Roots for Resilience, we create hands-on spaces where young people can learn traditional planting techniques, understand the cultural significance of certain crops, and see food growing as part of their heritage. This helps bridge the gap between ancestral traditions and their present-day lives, fostering a deeper sense of belonging and identity. At Maloca and other urban sites, I envision integrating traditional growing practices such as companion planting, seed saving, and natural soil enrichment. We can also create storytelling moments, sharing the histories of the crops, the communities they come from, and the values they represent. In doing so, we make ancestral wisdom not just a memory, but a living, evolving practice that thrives in today’s cities.”
8. Gardening, to most people, is just a hobby, but is it more radical than that? Do you see the act of gardening as a form of resistance or social justice? If so, in what way?
MAHALIA: “I think that gardening is very radical in a lot of respects and maybe even as a hobby. I think people underestimate the value of a lot of things that we consider just hobbies as a tool for self-care and rest. Socially, I think gardening can be radical in its capacity to feed people and make food accessible in the face of issues like environmental racism and scarcity.”
Community Wellness and Mental Health
Without a doubt, gardening is the core of the program, but what blossoms from it are beautiful connections between the participants. There are people of different backgrounds, careers, age groups, and much more, all creating friendships and networks amongst themselves.
9. Do you think Roots for Resilience plays a role in supporting participants’ mental health and sense of belonging? If so, how does it do that? What does mental wellness in a community setting look like to you personally?
MUZAMIL: “Yes, Roots for Resilience plays a vital role in supporting participants’ mental health and sense of belonging. It’s more than a garden; it’s a shared space where people come together around the land, fostering connection, collaboration, and care. There’s something profoundly grounding about planting a seed, nurturing it, and later harvesting something edible. That process creates a tangible sense of accomplishment and purpose. Working side by side in the soil builds relationships and trust, breaking down feelings of isolation. For many participants, nature becomes a safe space to decompress, slow down, and reflect, a counterbalance to the fast pace and stress of city life. To me, mental wellness in a community setting means feeling supported, valued, and part of something bigger. In Roots for Resilience, that happens through shared work, shared harvests, and the shared joy of watching both plants and people grow.”
10. Can you describe a moment where you really felt like, “this matters”?
MUZAMIL: “I experience those moments often, but one that stands out is seeing more and more new faces arrive at the garden, people with little to no gardening experience who come simply to connect, learn, and be part of something bigger. Watching someone hold a shovel for the first time, plant a seed, and then smile as they realize, “I did that,” reminds me exactly why this work matters. It’s not just about growing food; it’s about growing confidence, curiosity, and connection. Every time a newcomer feels welcomed and leaves with both new skills and a sense of belonging, I feel deeply proud of what we’re building at Black Environmental Initiative (BEI). Those moments are proof that the garden is more than a space, it’s a catalyst for community transformation.”
11. What would you advise someone outside the community, particularly someone unfamiliar with this kind of work, to understand about gardening within this space?
MUZAMIL: “I would tell them that Maloca is an incredibly welcoming space where anyone can learn about urban agriculture, regardless of experience. It’s not just about planting and growing food; it’s about connecting with people who share a curiosity for the environment, sustainability, and community. By spending time here, they’ll gain hands-on skills, learn about traditional and contemporary gardening practices, and experience how nurturing the land can foster relationships, well-being, and a sense of belonging. It’s a place to grow both plants and community.”
12. What advice would you provide to those wanting to start initiatives similar to Roots for Resilience?
MUZAMIL: “My advice would be to start by understanding the community you want to serve. Look at what resources already exist, good land, community spaces, and local organizations, and identify the people you want to engage. Think carefully about how to reach them and remove barriers that might prevent participation, whether that’s transportation, timing, or accessibility. Equally important is to build trust and listen first. Engage community members in planning and decision-making so the initiative reflects their needs and values. Small, intentional steps, like hosting workshops, planting events, or educational activities, can grow into a sustainable, impactful program. Rooting your work in collaboration, care, and responsiveness ensures the initiative not only succeeds but becomes meaningful for the people it serves.”
MAHALIA: “I would similarly say that Maloca is one of the most welcoming and friendly spaces I’ve ever been. I was pretty nervous and hesitant the first time I came out, but after I got in the space and met the community, I’ve been every Wednesday since! I think that experience and a lot of things can make people hesitant to join things like this, but it really is such an open, welcoming space once you get there.”
Grounding Reflections
After taking in Muzamil and Mahalia’s thoughts, I left feeling more grounded – both in the soil we tend and in the stories we carry. Whether planting seeds passed down through generations or composting as a form of renewal, land stewardship reveals itself as deeply personal. There’s something powerful about watching a garden grow under the hands of youth who have been told that nature isn’t theirs and seeing environmentalism redefined through their hands. From joining a local garden to learning from elders, or simply getting your hands in the soil, there is always a place to begin. Small actions, when done together, can grow into something much bigger. Thank you to Roots for Resilience!
The original article can be found on The Starfish website.
Read other articles by The Starfish Canada:
- Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour: Assessing the Environmental Impact
- Indigenous Ways of Knowing: A Conversation with Carolynne Crawley About Natural Relationships
- Black History Month Spotlight: Alicia Richins’ Journey from Economics to Ecology
- From Dojo to Planet: How Kendo Inspires Youth to Embrace Sustainability
