In recent months, public concern about safety has increasingly zeroed in on Santa Cruz’s homeless population. Sadly, this attention has focused on reducing support for vulnerable groups and pushing unhoused people out of community spaces rather than addressing the root causes of homelessness – low wages, unemployment and underemployment, a chronic shortage of affordable housing, complex and often untreated health …
Probably the most inspiring and meaningful achievements at Homeless Garden Project are from our trainees. Here is a listing from our trainees about what they personally accomplished by participating in HGP’s transitional employment program in 2012. I’m now living indoors. I’m renting a room in a house, as of January 2013. I started a second job at a nonprofit in …
Every day, we are reminded that our work at the Homeless Garden Project is about growth. One of our core values is, “We value the capacity of every individual for growth and renewal.” It’s a tiny word packed with meaning. Below are some thoughts about growth—from famous and less well-known thinkers. We’d like to hear from you: what does “Growth” …
Who we worked with: • We worked with over 1544 volunteers at the farm, workshop, retail store, events and office with over 16,586 hours (at $10/hour, a value of $165,860) At the Downtown Holiday Store: • For five weeks from November 19th-December 24th 2012, we had over 80 volunteers donate 1,382 hours of service to our Holiday Store on Pacific …
I interviewed Danny at HGP’s Natural Bridges Farm last summer. Danny welcomed me to the Farm and explained his work crew and their role on the Farm. His crew prepares and cares for vegetable beds and the animals. As we painted row markers and sifted compost together we talked. After work hours we continued our conversation under a giant pine tree. …
Here is the story that Joan shared with Michael Pollan after he toured the farm. She was very brave to write it and speak it, and that courage was palpable when she shared. Later, Raphael, an accomplished SJSU film student, made a video chronicling the transition of trainees from farm to workshop with Joan’s story narrating. Watch the Video: Nourishing Soil “The …
We invited Congressman Sam Farr to visit HGP and see how our program has developed and impacts our community, as well as to share some remarks on transitional job efforts from the national and local perspectives. We wanted to begin a timely conversation–for programs that help people who are homeless increase their self-sufficiency and regain a productive place in our community Mayor Don Lane, …
Why are you involved with the HGP? I got involved when I worked for the Social Sciences Division at UCSC. Some students from my photography workshops thought it would be a good idea to teach photography to trainees and staff at the HGP. The students have moved on, and I no longer work at the University, but I’ve stayed involved …
At the Homeless Garden Project’s Fall SUSTAIN farm dinner, one of our newest board members, Andre Lafleur talked with our dinner guests about why he decided to join HGP’s Board of Directors. “There were many reasons why I joined HGP’s board—even though I am not certain I have the temperament of a great board member, these reasons added up: Because …
On October 25, Michael Pollan visited the Homeless Garden Project. His visit inspired HGP trainees and staff to prepare a tour of our farm and programs that tells how our programs work, how the farm operates, and how it all comes together to help people find the tools they need to build a home in the world. Michael Pollan is an author, …
