Standing amid the last carnations, mums, dahlias, cosmoses, marigolds, bells of Ireland, and strawflowers, evidence of Fall in the garden was everywhere, most notably in the bed of ripening pumpkins.
Santa Cruz’ Homeless Garden Project, stretching over three scenic acres on the Westside, operates a Community Supported Agriculture farm (CSA), the Women’s Organic Flower Enterprise, and From Our Garden: Organic Flowers Wreaths Candles Produce, a retail store on Cliff Drive.
The Project employs 14 homeless trainees. Trainees cultivate and prepare weekly CSA shares for 80 members of the Santa Cruz community. As part of the Women’s Organic Flower Enterprise, they also learn skills that make use of the garden’s bounty. During the growing season, the Project’s farm kitchen provides a hot meal Tuesday through Friday for anyone working or volunteering that day.
Homelessness and joblessness go hand in hand. Lack of job skills, recent work history, social support network and low self esteem all make the transition out of homelessness more difficult. The integrated approach of the Homeless Garden Project’s programs addresses all of these needs.
On Saturday afternoon, October 2, 2010, the Project celebrated its 20th Anniversary with many people turning out under sunny autumn skies for the festivities, which included a buffet dinner, guest speakers, entertainment, and a luminaria parade.
I’ve seen people come in who are facing really big challenges … feeling pretty low and maybe having lost their sense of confidence in themselves, said Executive Director Darrie Ganzhorn. Something about working in a garden as a part of a team to help people meet their basic needs is powerful.
I met Farm Manager Forrest Cook, who oversees planning, production, and maintenance, and asked him about some text I’d read on a blackboard in the garden’s outside classroom:
Ronn’s Mantra is attributed via The Diamond Cutter to Ronn Reinberg, master of lighting design at Cabrillo College and long-time Project supporter, Forrest related. Definitely a philosophy that harmonizes with the melody of a garden singing of community, capability, and compassion.
Growing a future always begins in the present. This is what the founders understood when they planted the first seeds two decades ago.
Learn more about Community Supported Agriculture and find a farm near you.
Similar posts: Harvest Festival, Sweet Sustainability, Touch The Earth.
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Yes, yes, YES!!!
Love,
Nancy
What an interesting piece.
Great ideas from residents of America’s leftmost city (Santa Cruz)!
In the news: Homeless Garden Project brings people full circle