🌱 Celebrating Our Summer Interns: Rita & Winnie 🌱

Pictured left - Rita, to the right - Winnie

This summer, the Maxwell Street Community Garden was lucky to welcome two fantastic interns from Northwestern University: Rita Franca and Winnie Nna. As they head back to campus for the new semester, we want to take a moment to celebrate their hard work, fresh ideas, and the energy they brought to the garden.

🌿 Meet Rita

Rita comes to us from Recife, Brazil, where she grew up surrounded by stories of nature from her parents, who are from the countryside. Although she was raised in the city, Rita learned early on to value green spaces and the sense of peace they bring. That connection drew her to Maxwell Street, where she applied her Communications Studies skills (with a minor in Business Institutions) to community outreach.

This summer, Rita helped with food distributions, interviewed neighbors and gardeners, and gathered stories about how people use and value the garden. One of her favorite parts? Listening to neighbors share how the space has been a part of their lives for years.

“What stands out to me,” Rita shared, “is how the garden brings together people from very different backgrounds. It’s not just about growing vegetables, it’s about creating a shared space where neighbors can connect, support one another, and feel a sense of belonging.”

As a junior, Rita is still exploring her career path but hopes to begin in marketing or public relations—fields where her talents for storytelling and community connection will surely shine.

🌸 Meet Winnie

Winnie joined us from Cameroon and is a junior studying Computer Science. With a passion for building technology that improves education and expands access to resources, she brought a sharp, creative perspective to her work at the garden.

This summer, Winnie helped redesign our garden website (yes, the site you’re on right now!), assisted with outreach, and connected with neighbors during community events. Her favorite highlight was spending time with fellow Northwestern interns, exchanging stories and experiences from their different community placements.

“What stands out to me about Maxwell Street,” Winnie reflected, “is how it blends the gardening side with the social side. It’s more than just growing food; it’s the movie nights, Zumba, and yoga classes that make the space feel like a true community hub.”

🌻 A Lasting Impact

From capturing community stories to strengthening our digital presence, Rita and Winnie left a real mark on Maxwell Street Community Garden. Their curiosity, kindness, and dedication embodied what makes our space thrive: collaboration, creativity, and a love for community.

We are so grateful for their contributions this summer and can’t wait to see all the amazing things they will do next.