By Victoria Vele, Social Media and Water Quality Intern

As some of us start our second month at Living City Brooklyn Gowanus it seems that the office has tripled in size. Yes, all the boxes and giant notepads have been moved out so indeed it does look more spacious, but since the workshop two weeks ago we have welcomed five new interns. Run by our fearless leaders, David and Vanessa, we “old-timers” (Katie, Ben, and I) are thrilled to see some new faces in the office every day. We just hope that this gender divide doesn’t make Ben and David feel too uncomfortable.

One intern isn’t technically new, she is returning to us from Nicaragua; Anna was recently teaching English in South America for a month in an elementary school. She is excited to be back, continuing her research on energy issues for LCBG. Eliza and Barbara just started their summer internships at the beginning of the workshop and were immediately thrown into responsibilities and tasks to create a smoothly run community event.  Since then Eliza has joined forces with Alexia to spearhead our urban agriculture research and work. The final member of our team, Kristin, just arrived today from Vienna where she was studying abroad. Before traveling back to Europe in August, she’ll be researching water quality issues with Katie and myself. That’s our team!

Before- Mid Painting and Renovations

After: David, Eliza, and Alexia working against our newly painted green wall

Anna, Vanessa, Katie, and Ben work around the conference table

Dedicated to getting to know the interns we posed the question:

Interns, what is your favorite part of Brooklyn?

“I love the small-scale architecture. It’s gives off a more intimate neighborhood feeling.”

- Eliza

“The tree-lined streets promote a walkable neighborhood for so many families here in Carroll Gardens. It seems like every other person here or in Park Slope is a baby or a pregnant woman.”

- Alexia

“I appreciate how each neighborhood has its’ own distinct personality.”

-       Anna

“I like the multicultural diversity in Brooklyn. It’s a really interesting place to work.”

-       Kristin

“Of course I would have to say the bike culture is my favorite aspect of Brooklyn.”

-       Katie

“I love the main street-like feeling that Court Street gives off at night in the summer. There is such a sense of community.”

-       Victoria

“My favorite part is the young people that live in downtown Brooklyn, Williamsburg and Dumbo.”

-          Ben