Chicago Opportunity for Peace In Action

Chicago Opportunity For Peace in Action (COPA) is a registered charitable organization acting as a fiscal sponsor for Gregory Bratton.

Gregory Bratton provides fresh fruits and vegetables free of charge to the people in his Chicago neighborhood. He is a Master Gardener, Farmer and Community Activist. Working in the Englewood, Southworks, and Chatham, neighborhoods. He has a love for community, and making things grow. He has channeled this love into what has become his life’s work.

He teaches people how to grow food, a skill they can use to grow food for themselves and their families. This has been his passion for 30 years.

Youth have always been a part of Mr. Bratton’s community gardening projects. His mentoring and inspiration are critical components in the empowerment and direction of the youth of these communities.

Many of the gardens that Mr. Bratton has started and maintains weekly are in neighborhoods that have a history of foreclosures, displacement and the subsequent demolition of homes. The removal of citizens and architecture in these neighborhoods has opened acres of vacant land. Mr. Bratton has been reclaiming these vacant lands for community gardens for several decades.

You can read about a few of his gardening projects in the highlighted links below:

https://blockclubchicago.org/2020/09/24/this-south-side-gardener-is-behind-more-than-200-urban-farms-across-chicago-and-hes-not-slowing-down/

https://liveunitedchicago.org/stories/cultivating-connections-in-south-chicago/

https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/breaking/ct-gregory-bratton-gardener-cancer-20220908-jatr3hvuffbzfofb6ncwpl2oci-story.html

What Mr. Bratton does is a huge benefit to the communities he serves. These community gardens are meeting places of hope, social connection, fellowship, and employment. We are asking for help so that Mr. Bratton can continue his important work, and so that communities across Chicago can continue to benefit from his expertise and passion.

Mr. Bratton needs $15,000. for items such as:

Seeds, soil, lumber for building raised beds and a chicken coop, a rototiller, miscellaneous shovels, hoes, and rakes, cedar for fencing, a shipping container, solar panels, fruit trees, weed whackers, and seedling trays.

We, along with the many people in the communities benefiting from Mr. Bratton’s time and talent, greatly appreciate your help.