22 | AUGUST 4 • 2022 

J

ulia Cunnien, 23, of 
Detroit was nominated 
as Volunteer of the 
Week for turning her 
volunteer efforts into not 
only her career but also her 
lifestyle.
Nominated by Repair 
the World Detroit, the 
organization says she 
actively gives her time 
and knowledge to local 
organizations like Yad Ezra, 
Voice for Earth Justice, 
Detroit Community Fridges 
and more. 
Growing up in Canton, 
Cunnien says she was first 
introduced to community 
service and giving back as a 

teenager.
“I grew up going to 
Tamarack Camps, and one of 
my counselors explained to 
me how they were involved 
with Repair the World. 
As my interest grew, she 
explained how as a teenager, 
I could also get involved,” 
Cunnien said.
Cunnien first started with 
PeerCorps Detroit, Repair 
the World Detroit’s teen 
service-learning program, 
orientation.
The PeerCorps programs 
kick off with a weeklong 
orientation in the summer 
before the program starts in 
the fall.

After learning more about 
the program, Cunnien 
jumped right in for both 
her junior and senior years 
of high school. During the 
program, Cunnien says they 
had the opportunity to visit 
multiple places throughout 
Detroit they could serve 
during the year. That’s 
where she found her love for 
gardening.
“I volunteered mainly on 
an urban farm for Voices for 
Earth Justice in Detroit,” she 
said.
“Being in a garden is 
where I feel most connected. 
Learning and understanding 
the work, starting from 

putting my hands in the 
dirt and growing food that 
people may eat, it’s just 
amazing!”
Community service and 
working in the garden 
weren’t the only things 
Cunnien loved.
“The relationship building 
that happens when you’re 
in those spaces with people 
feels consistent,” she said. “At 
least when you pick a spot 
to continue to work in, and 
that’s what I did those two 
years. And so, I learned from 
the executive director at the 
time about gardening, the 
Earth and environment.”
Cunnien then went on 
to University of Michigan 
to obtain an environmental 
studies degree and joined a 
professional environmental 
fraternity while there. 
 Immediately after 
graduating in December 
2020, Cunnien started work 

OUR COMMUNITY
VOLUNTEER OF THE WEEK

Watering the 
Earth with Time

Meet Julia Cunnien, who helps the 
community grow one garden at a time.

RACHEL SWEET ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Julia Cunnien and Rachel 
Wasserman working 
at a Life Remodeled 
Community Block Party. 

