The Children in Westhaven – An Interview with Cville Tomorrow

Ashley Freeman’s daughter, Laila, has a knack for helping people.

Her desire to aid those in need grabbed the attention of the creators of a new children’s book — A Promise to Grow. The book follows the story of a boy named CJ who aspires to build a community garden and perform other kind deeds in Westhaven, a public housing community in Charlottesville.
AshleyFreeman_MK09-1400x933
 

Thank you to folks over at Cville Tomorrow, for featuring a story about
A Promise to Grow. It was wonderful chatting with Tamica Jean-Charles for
the article and I hope you enjoy. Thanks for reading!

 

Marc Boston
A Promise to Grow by Marc Boston

 

Children in the Westhaven public housing community are the driving force behind this new children’s book

by Tamica Jean-Charles

Ashley Freeman’s daughter, Laila, has a knack for helping people.

Her desire to aid those in need grabbed the attention of the creators of a new children’s book — A Promise to Grow. The book follows the story of a boy named CJ who aspires to build a community garden and perform other kind deeds in Westhaven, a public housing community in Charlottesville.

Showing a positive side to a community like Westhaven with her daughter as one of the inspirations is what warmed Freeman’s heart the most. 

“I think she offered her smarts and her caring attitude,” said Freeman.

City of Promise Director Mary Coleman approached Freeman and her daughter to feature Laila in the interview process of the book. The organization, which provides enrichment services to residents in Westhaven and the neighborhoods of Starr Hill and 10th and Page, sponsored the idea after a Charlottesville-based author named Peyton Lewis recommended they write such a book.

Coleman later reached out to Marc Boston, another Charlottesville-based author, to write it.

Boston said he came up with the idea for CJ’s journey…(click here to read the full article)

Interview with Cville Tomorrow article by Tamica Jean-Charles //




 

 

 

 

Related Posts

Leave a comment