Some people arrive in a community quietly and somehow still leave an imprint everywhere. Charkie Quarcoo (she/her) is one of those people. Thoughtful, observant, and endlessly generous with her time and energy, she has a way of making Maple Street Community Garden feel both deeply documented and deeply lived in.

Charkie (@chackalack529) first found the garden during last year’s Earth Day celebration on April 26th, with her first official gardening shift following shortly after on May 4th. The timing mattered. Joining the garden came during a period of profound personal loss, after the passing of her father in February 2025. What she found here was more than a volunteer opportunity, it was a place to land. “It’s been a grounding space where connection, community, and purpose keeps me coming back,” Charkie shared.

For her, the garden has become a site of healing. Working in the soil brought her back to childhood afternoons spent gardening with her dad, reconnecting her to memories that are both tender and grounding. In that sense, the garden holds layers of time: past and present intertwined, grief softened by routine, care, and community. Showing up week after week offered something steady, and something restorative.

“The emotional safety of the garden has enabled this quirky, curious Brooklynite to find a new home in a neighborhood that has been my home for decades,” Charkie said. There is something powerful about rooting yourself more firmly in a place you already love, and for Charkie, the garden has done exactly that. Through conversations between tasks, shared learning, and moments of quiet collaboration, she has found a renewed sense of belonging. The emotional safety of the garden has allowed her curiosity to flourish and her lifelong love of learning to take on new shape.

One of the most consistent sights at the garden is Charkie just behind her phone lens, capturing moments as they unfold. She documents the laughter, the labor, the small interactions that often go unnoticed—but she never stays on the sidelines for long. Just as quickly, she’s watering beds, lending a hand, or enthusiastically jumping into whatever needs doing. That blend of presence and participation has become a signature of how she moves through the space.

Her favorite memories from the summer are rooted in those quieter, sweeter moments. Spending time with a small garden toddler, watering raised beds and introducing him to ground cherries, left a lasting impression. His delight was immediate and unmistakable, measured by nonstop requests for more fruit and wide-eyed excitement at every new discovery. Watching a child experience the garden with such joy reminded Charkie of her own early love of gardening and the rare privilege of witnessing the world through a lens of pure innocence and curiosity.

When it comes to favorite garden activities, one stands out clearly: the Corn Harvest led by Bri’anna Moore. Growing up in Brooklyn, Charkie never imagined she’d one day watch multiple varieties of corn. Tracking their progress throughout the summer, harvesting together, and eventually popping popcorn grown just feet away was deeply satisfying and a little bit magical.

“It really captured what makes Maple Street so special,” she said. Members arrived with creative, delicious corn dishes, temporary tattoos added an element of play, and the event became a celebration of what community gardening can be at its best. Beyond the stalks, the Corn Harvest was about shared effort, creativity, and showing up for one another.

Beyond the garden, Charkie finds grounding through astrology, which plays an integral role in how she navigates the world. Trusting in timing, pulling oracle cards for clarity, and staying open to the universe’s plans are practices that help her stay centered. That same openness shows up in the garden, in her willingness to learn, to help, and to meet people where they are.

Charkie brings a quiet enthusiasm to Maple Street Community Garden that is felt even when she isn’t speaking. Whether she’s capturing moments, offering support, or simply being present, she contributes to the sense of care that makes this space feel like more than just a garden. We’re grateful for the way she shows up with intention, curiosity, and a whole lot of heart and for the many moments she helps preserve, both in photos and in memory.

Written by Jess Frost, Communication Committee Co-Coordinator

Portraits by Nancy Treuber, Communication Committee

Community Spotlight: Charkie Quarcoo