Wakefield Tutors

About Wakefield

The tight-knit communities of the boroughs of New York City come together for a variety of reasons—similar backgrounds, proximity, and shared interests. Sometimes, however, communities have a difficult time coming together, despite similar backgrounds, proximity, and shared interests. Wakefield, a community in the Bronx, has historically struggled with unity and cohesion. Race riots, gang violence, and high crime rates were regular occurrences in Wakefield for decades, though in recent years, these community challenges have gradually subsided, making the neighborhood a more desirable place to live again. One of the factors in improving conditions in Wakefield, most certainly, was the formation of Bissel Gardens.

In 1994, residents of Wakefield and other communities came together to reclaim an abandoned 2.2 acres of open space in a four-block public area. The lot was cluttered with junk, weeds, and dirt, but with a few dedicated volunteers, Bissel Gardens was born to serve Wakefield and the Bronx at large. The gardens were conceived of to be a place for all levels of gardeners, from novices to experts—the only thing necessary was a green thumb and a desire to serve. Eventually, a mentorship program as set up for high school students to work in and maintain the garden, side by side with its members. Eventually, a veterans’ program was also formed as a way to provide returning soldiers the opportunity to engage with their communities, as well as work through trauma by devoting time, effort, and care to the preservation of the gardens.

Vegetation grown at Bissel Gardens include botanical varieties, as well as edible crops. In fact, these crops have been so successful, a farmer’s market is held from July through November at Bissel Gardens. Items sold include produce local to the state of New York, and even the garden itself. Volunteers who help out at the garden can also lay claim to their own plots, establishing strong roots in the community with aims of further helping its harmony grow, year after year.

Bissel Gardens’ mission statement, as articulated on its website, is to “Provide a welcoming, safe, green oasis for people living in or visiting the Bronx.” What better way to improve community atmosphere than by having such an admirable goal? It is clear that the green oasis of Bissel Gardens has been a tremendous blessing for Wakefield, and an opportunity for its residents to collaborate on a project that improves morale and success for everyone involved.

Like the volunteers at Bissel Gardens, Grade Potential tutors come together to improve the academic success rates of their clients. With the same level of care and dedication that went into making Bissel Gardens extraordinary, tutors in Wakefield work tirelessly to see bad grades turn around and help struggling students thrive in their studies.