Moy Mendez, who grew up in Blue Island and is now executive director of the Hope Center, said when planting trees last week he called out a familiar phrase he hadn’t said in over 30 years.

“Yordan,” he said to another resident planting a tree. Mendez said he couldn’t remember the resident’s name, just the basketball nickname that came from an old inside joke, but the phrase helped them remember each other from their days together at Eisenhower High School. They are both longtime Blue Island residents with familial connections to Mexico.

The 50-year-old classmates planted between 40 and 50 trees around the community Oct. 18, with about 55 other volunteers from the community, city and even from Mendez’ alumni network at the Kellogg School of Management.

Mendez said the fruit tree planting event was one of the many ways the community has come together recently, despite heightened fear of federal immigration officers since September.

The event, organized by the Hispanic Access Foundation, planted trees in high-need areas around Blue Island. Mendez said it’s important to increase green spaces in the community, as they can improve community health, educate and connect the community, mitigate flooding, beautify the community and improve the ecological system.

The trees planted together with those from previous events total 130 trees, Mendez said.

The Hispanic Access Foundation said in a news release the event was a “celebration of growth, connection, and environmental stewardship” where participants could help plant fruit trees, prep garden beds for winter and learn how to care for it through a hands-on, beginner friendly training.

The majority of the trees were planted near the Hope Center on 135th Street and Western Avenue, along Vincennes and 120th Street in a flood zone and at the Kiddie Corral Park at 121st and Maple streets, Mendez said.

Blue Island residents join their neighbors at the Hope Center for a Community Fruit Tree Planting Day — a celebration of growth, connection and environmental stewardship. (Moy Mendez/Hope Center)

These locations were identified by the city and residents who have requested trees at their house, Mendez said.

Mendez said while there was great attendance, the event was missing a number of the Hispanic community members who were scared to attend a public event, an issue the Hope Center has faced recently.

He said this was especially hard during Hispanic Heritage Month, when there was significantly lower turnout at the center’s events.

“It was hard because the very people we’re hoping to serve were the very people that couldn’t attend a lot of our workshops,” Mendez said.

He said residents told him they’re scared to go to the doctor or get groceries because they’re scared of interacting with federal officers that are often reported in the area. He said even if these reports are incorrect, people still make plans on whether to go in public or not based on the reports.

He said residents have told him they’re stressed and that they’re cortisol levels are higher than normal because they feel like they’re constantly in survival mode.

He said even just making an emergency plan with their families has been stressful and intense for residents he has spoken with.

“The constant living in fear, the constant making plans and letting your family know,” Mendez said. “It’s horrible.”

He said he understands the need for laws and rules, but said the way its being done now is hurting the community.

Blue Island officials recently reshared multiple times on social media the city’s January statement advising families to know their rights and have a plan in place. The city also attached an advisory describing a family emergency plan from the Immigrant Legal Resource Center to the post and stated police will not participate in federal immigration enforcement activities.

“We value and will work to protect every family and child in our community,” the online statement said. “We will continue to uphold the state laws that protect all of the families who live, work, and contribute to the thriving fabric of Illinois.”

For the community members that did attend the tree planting event, Mendez said it was nice to connect with people who understand the challenges the community faces with the fear of federal immigration enforcement officers.

He said the Hispanic community is “familial,” which he said is a major strength during a scary time.

He said people bring each other groceries and meals when some residents are too scared to leave their house.

Volunteers also planted several fruit trees that will provide nourishment for the community. The trees included persimmon, elderberry, cherry, pawpaw, American plum, black cherry and bitternut hickory. The majority of these trees were native to the area and provided by The Hispanic Access Foundation, Mendez said.

He said he hopes the fruit trees help residents better understand sustainable urban agriculture, which he said is the practice of growing food in places such as a garden, balcony, window seal and backyard.

“Some people say, well, all we have is a window seal, so we’ll teach them how to grow microgreens,” Mendez said.

Moy Mendez at the tree planting event Oct. 18, hosted by the Hope Center in collaboration with the Hispanic Access Foundation. (Moy Mendez/Hope Center)

The center, he said, focuses on training the community to grow its own food and has tools such as aquaponics, hydroponics and a kitchen where residents can pickle, freeze, dry and dehydrate food. The center also has an outdoor chicken farm, a fish farm, a greenhouse, a food forest and a trail that’s focused on mental wellness.

awright@chicagotribune.com