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Gather & Grow Community Collective is rooted in the belief that wellness, creativity, and belonging thrive when nurtured together. We’re building a community where people can connect, heal, and flourish.
Our Mission
Our Mission
At Gather & Grow Community Collective, our mission is to cultivate a thriving, intergenerational community rooted in wellness, creativity, and stewardship of the land. We believe that true flourishing comes from caring for the whole person — mind, body, and spirit — while building connections that uplift everyone.
We carry out this mission through a variety of programs including community counseling and wellness services, movement and somatic practices, ecological and land-based learning, and accessible arts programming — all designed to help individuals grow personally and to be a part of something bigger.
Our Vision
Our Vision
We envision a world where every community has access to the resources, relationships, and creative outlets needed to thrive. A world where:
Wellness is holistic: supporting mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being.
Creativity is accessible: the arts are not a privilege, but a shared birthright that connects and heals.
Land is teacher and partner: regenerative practices ground us in balance and reciprocity with the earth.
By weaving together these values, Gather & Grow seeks to be more than a nonprofit — we aim to be a collective home for healing, learning, and creation.
Looking Ahead
Looking Ahead
Looking to the future, we are excited to launch the Roots & Wings Residency Program — a supportive living initiative designed for young adults, especially those transitioning out of foster care or navigating early adulthood without stable networks.
Residents will:
Live in a safe, supportive environment.
Receive wraparound supports including trauma-informed counseling, skill-building workshops, and workforce readiness training.
Participate in community wellness practices and mentorship from multigenerational neighbors.
Contribute to and participate in land-based learning, arts programming, and community events that strengthen resilience and connection.
This residency program represents the heart of our mission: creating a home where individuals can root into stability and spread their wings toward independence, whole-person wellness, and long-term flourishing.
Meet the Board
Meet the Board
Our board brings together diverse experiences and shared passion to guide Gather & Grow’s vision with integrity, creativity, and care.
Gianna Koenig
Founder & President
Gianna is a counselor and dance/movement therapist-in-training, and nonprofit founder dedicated to creating spaces where individuals and communities can thrive. She is currently completing her Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (expected 2027), with plans to pursue licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and Registered Dance/Movement Therapist (R-DMT). Her work with Gather & Grow blends her clinical expertise with her passion for holistic wellness, community resilience, and creative expression.
In addition to nonprofit leadership, Gianna has extensive experience as a performing artist and educator, working with children and adolescents in theatre and movement-based programs. Her approach weaves together mental health, embodied practice, and the arts as pathways toward healing and belonging.
Jose Marquina
Treasurer
Jose serves as Treasurer of Gather & Grow, where he helps guide the collective’s resources with care and accountability. He holds a B.A. in Environmental Science with a minor in Anthropology from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, and has built his career in roles that emphasize adaptability, communication, and client care. From delivering environmental education to inner-city schools to coordinating community green space projects, Jose has consistently combined problem-solving with a commitment to people and place. At Gather & Grow, he brings that same blend of steadiness and community-minded vision to financial stewardship, helping ensure the organization has a strong foundation to cultivate wellness, creativity, and belonging.
Maria Mirkazemi
Secretary
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