Hi everyone, my name is Dianna Hope and I’m proud to be a trainee at the Homeless Garden Project! The Homeless Garden Project not only helps the homeless, but we help many community members through organizations like Hospice, and the Boys and Girls Club, not to mention the Transition Age Youth program. HGP helps our community with organic foods and …
Smart Path Project–Robyn McKeen’s Inspiring Presentation at Smart Solutions Community Recognition Reception
At the Smart Solutions to Homelessness Community Recognition Reception on November 12, 2017, Robyn McKeen presented about “Coordinated Entry,” a strategic priority of our community’s All In Strategic Plan to Prevent, Reduce and Eventually End Homelessness. Homeless Garden Project staff and board members present were inspired and moved by Robyn’s presentation and so we share it with you here. Smart Path Project Spotlight Smart …
Our Volunteers Share Their Stories
“Service is not a hierarchy but a reciprocity in which the distinctions between teacher and pupil, giver and receiver, helper and helped constantly dissolve.” –Scott London In honor of Make a Difference Week, we took time to acknowledge our extraordinary community of volunteers, and to reflect on how volunteering with HGP has made a difference in people’s lives. Becca McKnight is an invaluable …
Be the Difference – Honoring Volunteers at Homeless Garden Project
More than 2,000 people volunteer each year at Homeless Garden Project, building bridges in our community that make our organization and Santa Cruz strong. We hear from volunteers and trainees every day about the value of our Volunteer and Community Education program, Cultivating Community. Here are the stories of three of our very special volunteers. Patti Workman, Volunteer BookkeeperAs a small …
I Promised Myself
Donna spoke at our 2017 Downtown Store Gala Holiday Open House on December 1, 2017. The trainees had been working in the workshop for over a month, creating wreaths, decorating our beeswax candles, making our bath and body products, baking mixes, herb salts and much more! This Open House celebrated our trainees’ work and achievements. Hello everyone, welcome. I’m Donna …
Farm To Fork Across America — EcoFarm Conference: Sustainable Agriculture, Food, Love and Butterflies
In a couple weeks I’ll be attending the oldest and largest ecological agricultural gathering in the West. The EcoFarm Conference has been a centrifugal force for more than 30 years. It will be jam-packed with networking opportunities and information on the newest eco-ag developments and techniques. Hot topic Farm Bill 2012 lectures will focus on important policy concerns. Newly emerging …
Farm To Fork Across America: A Safe Place To Go
“Nothing enlightens the soul like putting one’s hands into fertile earth; realizing that cupped in one’s hands, rolling in between one’s fingers is a tiny universe constantly moving before, during and after our time.” — U-Knot-Me ….a vivid sentiment not expected from the pen of a person who is homeless. Yet it was and it brought tears…. just one of the …
Here, Amongst the Flowers and Vegetables
Lienallie gave this talk at Permaculture Action Day at our farm on November 4, 2017. Over the course of the day, about 200 people gathered to take part in a day of hands-on regenerative projects, music, shared food, workshops, and taking action as a community. Lienallie spoke about her experience in Homeless Garden Project’s transitional employment program. Here are her remarks. Hello, …
2016 Annual Report: Donors
Many Thanks to All of Our Generous Donors in 2016. Our Garden and Our Trainees Couldn’t Grow Without You! Sustainer of the Garden ($25,000 and over) Quentin Hancock Newman’s Own Foundation Nurturer of the Garden ($10,000-$24,999) Monterey Peninsula Foundation George L. Shields Foundation, Inc. Patrice Boyle Cody Swift Synod of the Pacific Grower of the Garden ($5,000-$9,999) City of …
Shelter from the Storm
Justin gave this talk to guests at Homeless Garden Project’s Sustain Farm Supper, 9.16.2017 Good Evening! First of all, I would like to thank everyone for being here tonight. And an extra special thank you to Mr. Tom Steyer and Ms. Kat Taylor for volunteering your time and energy to be with us tonight. But whether you are here to …