Adewole Akinbi was 14 years old when he started working for Heather Gaydos at an environmental education program he joined through Groundwork Providence and the Smith Hill Community Development Corporation. Now 27, Akinbi lives downstairs from Gaydos, who he views as family.
Their professional relationship evolved into a friendship as they grieved the violent death of a close friend, one of the teens in the program. We have their story as part of our series, “Speaking Across Difference,” about how Rhode Islanders are bridging gaps that may divide us.
Gaydos switched from working in environmental education to working at the Institute for the Study and Practice of Nonviolence. Akinbi joined her there after he graduated from college. Both of them say their 13-year-old friendship, or familyhood as they call it, has also been marked by happy times. That includes watching teen friends mature into young adults.
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Music: “Algo Rhythm Natural,” “Bristlecone,” “Gentle Heart,” and “Arboles” by Podington Bear; license via soundofpicture.com
