“Imagine arriving in a foreign land, filled with hope yet burdened by fear,” Bitwayiki said. “Opportunities to rebuild your life surround you, but they remain painfully out of reach because you are seen as an ‘outsider.’ This frustration, the longing to belong, and the fight for dignity form the backdrop of many refugee stories. Yet, amidst this adversity, resilience shines through, and humanity prevails.”
Fluent in Kinyarwanda, Swahili, and French, Bitwayiki became a bridge for her fellow refugees, interpreting and helping them navigate the complexities of their new world. She saw gardening as a way to keep spirits alive, create a sense of purpose, and foster community among those yearning to rebuild their lives.
With the support of Lucy Beachdell, then the community gardening coordinator at Five Rivers MetroParks, refugees were connected to gardens, compost, and seeds.
Newest project
The organization has more recently launched the Resilient Urban Farming Project with support from a USDA cooperative agreement. Under the leadership of Emily Holmes, an advocate for sustainable farming and food justice, this project equips refugees with the tools and training needed to practice sustainable agriculture, manage agricultural risks, and contribute to their communities through food sovereignty.
To celebrate this milestone, more than 60 stakeholders from nonprofits, neighborhood associations, the City of Dayton, Montgomery County, and academic institutions such as Central State University and the University of Dayton gathered for a community kickoff event at the university of Dayton.
“Following this event, we launched our ‘Training of Trainers’ program on Nov. 17 which will run for 18 weeks, followed by a 10-week hands-on training phase,” explains Bitwayiki. “In July 2025, we plan to initiate a second cohort targeting the broader community, with training conducted in participants’ native languages and facilitated by our TOT trainees to make it even more accessible.”
While the USDA funding provides crucial support for training, she says, gaps remain — particularly in accessing land for hands-on farming.
Here’s how you can help:
- Access to Land: Unused or underutilized land for farming and community gardens.
- Farm Tools and Equipment: Shovels, hoes, irrigation systems, wheelbarrows, and hand tools.
- Seeds and Starter Plants: Vegetable, herb, and fruit seeds or young plants
- Compost and Mulch: Materials to enrich soil and promote sustainable farming.
- Gardening Supplies: Gloves, watering cans, and storage solutions for tools.
- Transportation Support: Bikes, gift cards for fuel, or rideshare vouchers to help participants access training sites.
- Educational Materials: Notebooks, pens, flashcards, and visual aids for training programs.
- Financial Contributions: Support for fertilizers, pest control supplies, and workforce development resources.
- Event Support: Supplies for multicultural community events like tents, chairs, and food.
- Workforce Development Gear: Safety equipment, uniforms, or supplies for jobs in agriculture, healthcare, and hospitality.
Both new and gently used items are appreciated. Call 937-559-7195 to arrange drop-off, email catherine@crossovercd.org, or visit 1306 E. 5th S.t, Dayton. Learn more or donate online at https://crossovercd.org/donate.
MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Meredith Moss writes about Dayton-area nonprofit organizations and their specific needs. If your group has a wish list it would like to share with our readers, contact Meredith: meredith.moss@coxinc.com.
Please include a daytime phone number and a photo that reflects your group’s mission.
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