ROCHESTER, N.Y. — In cities across New York, vacant lots are often the root of trouble. On one Rochester street, there’s a project to grow something good in those empty spaces — a project designed to help change the community.

Jasmine Knowlin is part of a crew that’s turning nothing into something. If it works out as planned, it should make a whole lot of difference.

In a northeast Rochester neighborhood where too many vacant lots represent the “nothing,” the “something” begins with the pallets of concrete blocks, which volunteers are using for the foundation for a community garden.

“Personally for me, especially living in the city of Rochester, it is really important just if I can to give back in any way,” she said.

Knowlin’s crew works at RG&E. Another crew of volunteers came from a local tree service.  

It is all part of a project by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Monroe County to turn empty lots into urban gardens.

“It can have a huge impact,” said Mike Kincaid, director of workforce development for CCE. “Rochester does not have a ton of grocery stores within the city. A lot of the grocery stores have moved out, and fresh produce is incredibly important to everyone's health.”

It’s more than just that. Turning empty spaces into community places brings neighbors together.

“It's definitely a great opportunity to change around some of the dynamics within a particular block,” said Kincaid.

To change a community, it takes a community. This one has a lot of need. Food insecurity is a major issue, along with poverty and crime. All things which often go hand-in-hand.

On Remington Street, they’re hoping to address the issues. By turning nothing into something to be proud of.

“So now when I ride by here, I can know I participated in creating this,” said Knowlin. “It’s really satisfying.”