About Us | Westwood Grows

What We're About

Formed in 2022, Westwood Grows is the passion project of founder Mary Dudley as she strives to protect safe spaces for children to interact with nature, provide accessible education for urban growers and promote events that encourage conversation. The mission of Westwood Grows is to cultivate collaboration through education that inspires and celebrates success. These initiatives are made possible by the amazing partners who share this vision. We are always eager to welcome new voices, contact Mary to learn more by emailing westwoodgrows@gmail.com

Meet the Team

Director

Lee

Lee Hamzy is a co founder, co lead teacher and executive director at Little Schoolhouse in the Woods. She spends her days with early childhood students in the woods guiding them on their child led experiences while they gain the social emotional skills to excel in their future.

Lee believes that the forest is a giant, open-ended learning laboratory providing countless opportunities for creativity and enrichment experiences. Lee’s most recent trainings were through ERAFANS and becoming an Ohio Certified Volunteer Naturalist. Lee has been a tree hugging nature lover since she was a small child and cannot imagine a more perfect job than as an outdoor early childhood educator.

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Director

Mariah

Mariah Lovemore is an Entrepreneur/ Artist who aspires to push beyond the limits of bringing hope through art and beauty and creating peace. One of her relevant achievements is touching the lives of those suffering from depression and suicide during the Pandemic through music. Battle Depression Anthem music video was launched during Suicide Prevention Month in September of 2020 followed by an interview on WLWT News 5. Mariah expressed to her social media community that gardening is one way to knock off the depression blues. She likes Westwood/ Western Hills because of the amount of greenery, awesome soil for gardening and peace her family has experienced.

President

Andi

Although new to Westwood, Andi is no stranger to Cincinnati. Having grown up in Kennedy Heights, Andi never thought she’d be a resident of the Westside. But during the pandemic and with two under two, Andi and her husband John decided they wanted to be closer to family and work. Being active in the community is important to their family. Andi’s parents were very active on the Kennedy Heights Community Council, so she saw first hand the importance of community service and representation. In the warmer months you can find her in the garden or tending to her plant babies. And when not running after her toddlers, and is either working on a project as a freelance graphic designer or in school studying to be a nail technician.

Director

Cristina

Meet Cristina Britt: mother, educator, Spanish speaker, student, and neighbor. She and her children enjoy the new Werk Road park, the Bengals’ playground, and of course, their backyard. She strengthens her community by picking up trash, caring for her neighbors, and embracing the beauty in every season. Cristina has over 10 years of experience practicing yoga and is a 200-hr certified yoga instructor. She embraces learning how to be a greater steward to the environment and her community. She has family in Puerto Rico and also enjoys both dancing and cooking with sofrito! In our community, she is excited to see how individuals from diverse backgrounds can unite to shine light on our collective knowledge and wisdom (wealth)!

Secretary

Olivia

Olivia has called Westwood home since moving to the neighborhood in 2016, where she lives with her partner and pup. As a former Cincinnati Public School teacher, she believes in the power of building and uplifting community through intentional presence. Catch her hiking a trail in Mt. Airy, sipping a latte at Muse, or teaching yoga on Sunday mornings!

Treasurer

Mary

Mary is a passionate educator whose career has taken her around the country from Cincinnati to Seattle to Boulder to Coral Gables and back as she strives to bring environmental education to students of all ages who seek to integrate nature into their daily lives and classroom curriculum. She has two children and her family has lived in Westwood near Montana Ridge for twelve years.