Sarah's Career

Going Full-Time with Southside ReLeaf

"Newsroom Van"

446 pieces  |  LEGO: 41749 (retired)

Assembled by Sarah Wilkinson, October 2024

Interaction Rating: 4 / 5 (interaction with the set is encouraged, but use extra care)

Since Sarah and Hunter began dating in February 2022, Sarah has worked for three different nonprofits (meanwhile, Hunter has worked for the same company since he was 15). When she worked for MENTOR Virginia, she rose through the ranks of the small staff, earning a reputation for being reliable and hard-working. But that hard work was a necessity to keep the doors open, as she provided stability while the organization cycled through four different executive directors in four years. As her burnout grew, Hunter encouraged Sarah to seek another job, which she did in March 2023. She transitioned to being the Director of Adult Learning at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden with great hope. However, she soon discovered that her responsibilities were even heavier and that the workplace culture was undergoing a rough period. Sarah did her best to advocate for her staff as working conditions deteriorated and staff began to organize. She ultimately left the role after 15 months to preserve her health (the Garden unionized six months later).

In the background, Sarah had been volunteering with a community organization called Southside ReLeaf, which focused on improving the quality of life in formerly redlined areas of South Richmond through greening and advocacy. She began that work in 2020, when the organization wasn't yet a 501 (c) (3). Under the leadership of co-founders Sheri Shannon and Amy Wentz, Sarah helped the organization grow. By the time Sarah was experiencing burnout at Lewis Ginter and was ready to leave, Southside ReLeaf had grown large enough to hire her part-time. She gladly accepted, taking some space to heal and reflect while also continuing to earn income. When the time came for Sarah to transition back to full-time work, Sheri and Amy offered her a full-time position as Communications Manager. Sarah was proud to become the first full-time employee in December 2024.

Through all of this, Sarah has learned that doing what you love still means going to work every day. You can't give all of yourself to your work and still expect to have anything left for yourself or the people you love. Hunter has been an immense supporter throughout all of these transitions and is happy that Sarah has landed somewhere where she is valued and cared for. Sarah selected the "Newsroom Van" LEGO set to represent her expanded role with Southside ReLeaf, as it pushes her to grow new skills.

The Richmond Water Crisis

"Bathroom Set"

90 pieces  |  Unbranded: YL001

Assembled by Mike Alfare, January 2025

Interaction Rating: 5 / 5 (interaction with the set is encouraged)

In Sarah's second month of working full-time for Southside ReLeaf, a small snowstorm hit the area. Less than two inches of snow fell, but that was enough to knock the City of Richmond's water off for four days. No one in the city had any running water, and even some nearby counties had to issue a boil-water advisory. Sarah and Hunter live outside the city, in a county unaffected by the water outage. However, in Sarah's role with Southside ReLeaf, which serves South Richmond, she quickly discovered that she'd have to fill the gaps in the city's lackluster crisis communications. This involved liaising with community partners to translate information into Spanish, creating a detailed map of water resources in the town (utilized by over 10,000 people), and assisting in organizing volunteer crews to support water distribution efforts. It was like drinking through a firehose at a time when the firehoses didn't have any water to give.

Water ReLeaf Crew

"Bathtub Stunt Bike"

14 pieces  |  LEGO: 60333 (retired)

Assembled by Andrew Deese, March 2025

Interaction Rating: 5 / 5 (interaction with the set is encouraged)

Sarah couldn't resist this little "Bathtub Stunt Bike" set from LEGO because it seemed quite fitting to represent the water distribution network that Southside ReLeaf launched when it became clear the City of Richmond wouldn't be able to provide water to all residents who needed it during the Richmond Water crisis. Amy, one of Southside ReLeaf's co-founders, rented a U-Haul and drove to stores outside the city, purchasing pallets of water, and then drove around town with the help of volunteers (whom Sarah helped recruit on social media), delivering cases of water to residents who called or texted to request it. Sarah and Hunter's friends, Vanessa and Mike, gave in on day four of the crisis and came over to borrow their shower facilities (sticking around to put some Legos together, of course!).

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