National Rebuilding Month 2022: OASIS on Ballou

Rebuilding Together Boston engaged more than 30 local volunteers to perform improvements and repairs at two sites on April 22 and 23, 2022: Oasis at Ballou Farm, and the completion of renovations at Roxbury home. In addition to these projects, Rebuilding Together Boston is completing renovations for a Dorchester Army Veteran’s home during National Rebuilding Month. This work is made possible by the generosity of sponsors Lowe’s Home Improvement, Home Builders Institute (HBI), and Boston College. 

The video highlights the work done by Boston College and the North Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters on behalf of Oasis at Ballou Farm. The volunteers replaced and built new fencing around the farm. 

OASIS (Opportunity Affirmation Sustainability Inspiration Success) on Ballou is an urban agriculture project that represents a unique opportunity for transformative placemaking at 100 Ballou Ave. in the Woodrow-Mountain neighborhood of Dorchester, on a long-neglected and vacant 20,000 SF lot previously owned by the City of Boston. OASIS on Ballou incorporates urban agriculture with sustainable community development, social equity, and social entrepreneurship. Our vision is to create a community resource that promotes active living, improves resident health, and creates a safe place for children to play, learn, and grow. OASIS will provide green job training, social enterprise economic opportunities, and enterprise management with the special involvement of men of color. The site plan includes: a production garden, a demonstration garden with accessible raised beds, a tot lot, and a healthy learning center.

The work in April kicks off what will be a busy period of renovation projects for Rebuilding Together Boston, we are looking to perform up to ten projects in 2022. “We are excited to be able to host these rebuilding projects this year as we ramp back up to aid the Boston community,” adds Rebuilding Together Boston’s executive director Janice Walker. “Our clients’ needs only increased during COVID. We appreciate all the commitments from our sponsors and volunteers to get back to work helping Boston area homeowner’s and non-profit facilities who desperately need our help to ensure their homes and facilities are safe and operational. We are looking forward to helping many more homeowners and community centers in the coming months.”