St. Mark's Community Center, Mountain T.O.P., and Growing Roots wish to revitalize the St. Mark's Community Center and to expand the role of the organization on the southeast side of Sewanee. They envision serving the historic St. Mark's community and the broader group of people who have roots in that community as well as neighboring communities in Sewanee and Midway. The initial project is a garden, which will be managed by people with connection to the historic community. Mountain T.O.P. will assist with the construction, and that organization seeks an inroad into the Sewanee community to provide home repairs. Growing Roots will provide gardening design and expertise. All three partners will develop programming to serve the community, from information on weatherization and insulation to home canning and nutrition to gardening.
Photographs are from a volunteer day on March 2, 2024 that included members from the St. Marks Community and organization, Mountain T.O.P., Sewanee students (including members of Sewanee's Black Student Union), and other outside community volunteers.
Group Photo from left to right: Emily Hawkins, Delana Turner, Puk Puk, JT Michel, Stevie Mack II, Annabel Hines, Olivia Howard, Erica Howard, Evelyn Patton, James Burnette, Kathy Solomon, Mamie Oneal.