Centro Campesino Advances Initiative to Serve More South Florida Families with Help from BrightView
Local team members from industry's leading landscape services company volunteer to inspire community, encourage economic development
At Centro Campesino Farmworker Center, volunteers from BrightView Landscapes volunteered time and resources to transform the exterior of the soon-to-open Education Center, which will serve farmworkers and other low income families living in the Homestead and Florida City communities of rural Miami-Dade County.
Centro Campesino’s new Education Center will include two classrooms and a computer lab. This addition will increase their capacity to serve an additional 40 children in their after school program, provide weekend and evening classes, conduct computer trainings and orchestrate community meetings.
The partnership between BrightView and Centro Campesino is part of an effort to collaborate and develop a workforce development and job training program.
“We seek to forge long-term strategic partnerships with community organizations in our local markets to provide jobs and career pathways,” said BrightView Vice President of Human Resources Ralph Acevedo. “While discussing the potential of a job training program, we learned of Centro Campesino’s new Education Center and became inspired by the opportunity to utilize our skills to support our community.”
This project that BrightView has undertaken is truly a blessing. We had run out of funds to complete the building and work was at a standstill. Their huge contribution has inspired us to complete the interior and start using the building.
- Ana Castilla, Centro Campesino Board President and TD Banks Community Development Manager
BrightView provided in-kind support of specialized landscape design and installation for the center’s exterior as they prepare to open their doors later this year. Today, team members from local branches participated in volunteer activities to help put the final touches on the landscaping and also built benches, picnic tables, and flowerbeds to transform the property.
“At BrightView, we believe it is not only our responsibility, but a privilege to give back to the communities in which we live and work,” said Rick Martella, BrightView’s Executive Vice President of Public Affairs, Marketing and Communications. “‘Taking Care of Communities’ is a core component of our brand and something we proudly do every day.”
“This project that BrightView has undertaken is truly a blessing," said Ana Castilla, TD Banks Community Development Manager and Centro Campesino’s Board President. "We had run out of funds to complete the building and work was at a standstill. Their huge contribution has inspired us to complete the interior and start using the building."
For BrightView, this project is the initial activity for their partnership with Centro Campesino. “We want to stay involved and continue to explore job training opportunities and volunteer activities to support the economic development of the community,” Acevedo said.
About Centro Campesino
Centro Campesino has been serving the Southern Miami/Dade County since 1972. Our importance to the community was never clearer than after Hurricane Andrew destroyed most of the existing homes in 1992. We have developed more than 500 units of affordable housing, and still manage 131 residences for senior citizens and other low and moderate income people. Since that time of intense rebuilding, Centro Campesino has continued to be a mainstay in the community, providing home owner and home buyer assistance, vocational services, and an afterschool program for children. For more information, visit www.centrocampesino.org.
About BrightView:
BrightView (NYSE: BV), the nation’s largest commercial landscaper, proudly designs, creates, and maintains the best landscapes on Earth and provides the most efficient and comprehensive snow and ice removal services. With a dependable service commitment, BrightView brings brilliant landscapes to life at premier properties across the United States, including business parks and corporate offices, homeowners' associations, healthcare facilities, educational institutions, retail centers, resorts and theme parks, municipalities, golf courses, and sports venues. BrightView also serves as the Official Field Consultant to Major League Baseball. Through industry-leading best practices and sustainable solutions, BrightView is invested in taking care of our team members, engaging our clients, inspiring our communities, and preserving our planet. Visit www.BrightView.com and connect with us on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and LinkedIn.
For more information and/or permission to use BrightView images and assets, please send all media inquiries to [email protected]
