United Way Day of Caring 2025

For the United Way Day of Caring, I led a project to build a new raised garden space for a special education facility in Albemarle County, turning a blank patch of land into a "living classroom." Knowing I’d be working with a diverse group of volunteers and staff with varying skill levels, I focused on making the build process as intuitive as possible. I designed a set of visual assembly guides and step-by-step checklists that translated technical construction plans into easy-to-follow instructions. By breaking the project down into clear, manageable tasks, I made sure everyone felt confident in their role—whether they were expert builders or picking up a drill for the first time. Seeing the team successfully use those guides to create a truly accessible space for these students was a perfect reminder of why I love design: it’s all about empowering people with the right tools to get the job done.