Written by: Matthew Kang
Doruntina Uka is helping open doors that have too often remained closed. As Business Development Specialist at The PATCH Program, she helps people with disabilities and other barriers to employment find real opportunities in the local food system.
The PATCH Program supports participants through hands-on training in both urban and rural agriculture, with a strong focus on food security and food literacy. Doruntina plays a key role in connecting people with employers, placing participants in environments where they can grow, contribute, and belong.
Her work is grounded in a clear understanding of the systemic challenges many face. “We live in a system that isn’t built for everyone,” Doruntina says. “Where these systems fall short, the community steps in. I’ve been lucky to witness that through my work with the PATCH.”
Whether she’s building new employer partnerships or supporting participants as they step into agricultural work for the first time, Doruntina leads with trust in people’s ability to grow and contribute. Her work is rooted in care and built on the belief that everyone deserves a place in the food system.
“None of this would be possible without participants who care about their community, and a community that cares about them,” she says. “Care is at the root of it all.”
