Fostering connections among members of the Santa Cruz community
My name is Jessica and this is my truth. I always knew that my chronic homelessness had a thin line between being caused by chance and by circumstance. What started by circumstance created a pattern in my life that consisted of bad choices and hard decisions. A lot of it can also depend on your stance of whether or not …
Good morning everyone and thank you for coming out and showing your support to the Homeless Garden Project. I showed up here several months ago as a volunteer at the suggestion of my doctor. You see, I have been diagnosed with Congestive Heart Failure which has taken a back seat to my Aspergillus Fungus in my lungs. I’m told to …
First off I want to thank Darrie for having me up here, and I want to thank all of you for your time. I am up here tonight to describe my life before and after I found the garden. My name is Ricky, I am a crew member and here is my story. Knowing pain for so long, you become …
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 …
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 …
“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 …
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 …
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 …
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, …
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 …
