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About Green Visions

Green Visions is a workforce development program that helps foster a healthy community in the Joseph Ave and JOSANA neighborhood of Rochester, NY.

Green Visions is a community-centered program based on a vision for a more vibrant and flourishing Rochester. It is a workforce development program in the City of Rochester’s Joseph Ave and JOSANA neighborhood. Together with neighbors, we install and cultivate cut flower gardens on once-vacant and decaying lots.

The flowers from these lots are harvested just before peak bloom over the entire summer and early fall, arranged into stunning bouquets and then sold at the Rochester Public Market and Wegmans by the program participants. The profits from sales help to support the costs of the program and give the participants a real sense of running a small business.

The hands-on effort of the participants to improve their community has proven to be a remarkably powerful motivator. Green Visions participants understand that they are making their community a healthier and better place to live and develop great pride in their work.

Community-based workforce development initiatives, such as Green Visions fulfill Rochester’s demand for trained and skilled workers prepared to enter the middle-skill professional field. The program actively combats urban blight, crime, youth unemployment, and poverty. Additionally, our gardens make vacant lots in the JOSANA neighborhood come alive with activity and positive energy. Our program recruits and empowers young and able resident young adults to be the agents of change in their community.

Donate to Green Visions Now

Neighborhood-Scale Community Advocacy

Our workforce development Program, Green Visions, is changing lives in the JOSANA neighborhood of Rochester! Check out what you can do to help:

Make A Donation

You can make a donation to Greentopia to help fund all the projects of our Green Visions program.

Become A Volunteer

Green Visions can use your help on our lots at Smith & Whitney Streets. You can also help with back office, social media or other areas.

Contact Morgan@greentopia.org for more information.

Buy Flowers!

Did you know that Green Visions supplies flowers not only to Wegmans’ stores, but also for special events all through the summer and early fall? Contact us now to supply your graduation, wedding or other special event with beautiful Green Visions flowers.

Contact: Morgan@greentopia.org for more information.

Green Visions News from our blog:

5 Greentopia developments coming in 2016

Jan 13, 2016 | Development, FlourGarden, GardenAerial, Gorge, Green Visions, Greentopia | 0 Comments

It’s going to be an exciting year for Greentopia, as we move further into creating some of the physical projects that have been a goal since our inception. Here’s a look at what’s coming: Any day now: the FlourGarden will be finished. Final details, such as wood...

Greentopia embraces new fundraising technology

Nov 20, 2015 | FlourGarden, GardenAerial, Green Visions, Greentopia, Michael Philipson | 0 Comments

Greentopia launched a new way to raise funds Nov. 12 with a wine-and-cheese party where people pledged by text. The concept was so successful that the attendees EXCEEDED the entire fundraising goal -- $5,000 for the FlourGarden -- in less than 20 minutes. About 50...

Green Visions by the numbers

Nov 4, 2015 | Green Visions, Greentopia | 0 Comments

Increasingly, it looks like a big part of helping people out of poverty isn't a hand-out, but a hand up that recognizes the human capital available in our poorer neighborhoods. One program that does this is Greentopia's Green Visions program, which provides 22 weeks...