2014 Annual Report: Training Program

Relationships, engagement, accomplishment and positive emotion all play an integral part in well-being. A strength of our training program is our investment in the whole person, so that trainees can sustain their well being after graduation. This is how trainees describe the effect the Training Program has had on their lives: “Social workers, volunteers, employees, and other trainees are a …

2014 Annual Report: Cultivating Community

2014: Our Volunteer Community Grew This year, we partnered with 2,200 volunteers at the farm, workshop, retail store and office, with a total of nearly 20,000 hours. According to national averages, the estimated service value of our volunteers for 2014 is $405,400! We can’t emphasize enough what an important role this community plays in our daily lives at HGP. We …

5 Questions by Andrew Zimmern – Changing Lives Through Food

Andrew Zimmern interviewed Darrie Ganzhorn, our Executive Director about the organization’s different facets, how the farm is a great equalizer and ways to get involved. Read the interview on AndrewZimmern.com AndrewZimmern.com: What is the mission of Homeless Garden Project? Darrie Ganzhorn: Our mission is “In the soil of our urban farm and garden, people find the tools they need to build …

2012 Volunteering Annual Report

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 …

Sam Farr Visits Homeless Garden Project

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, …

Michael Pollan Visits Homeless Garden Project

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, …

Homeless Garden Project Celebrates Retail Store with a Night of Sweets and Treats

Homeless Garden Project Retail Store brings organic homemade products to Santa Cruzans made by people who need the help. At the new traffic circle close to the wharf, retail store opened its doors Friday for the first “Sweets and Treats” party. Over 120 people got a jump on their holiday shopping as they sampled locally-donated wines and project-made organic treats, …