Instead of ignoring the homeless problem in Santa Cruz, California, the Citizens Committee for the Homeless began the Homeless Garden Project in 1990 to provide transitional living assistance to homeless citizens. They created sustainable farming in a college town, capitalizing on student help through an internship opportunity through UC Santa Cruz. The farm is 2.5 acre property where homeless men and women are welcome to learn organic farming as part of a transitional living program. In exchange for working the farm, they receive hot meals. The organic produce is locally grown and sold at farmers’ markets and to local restaurants. In addition, the Homeless Garden Project offer job-training and employment, in the form of mock interviews and application review for individuals in need.
The job-training includes the Natural Bridges Farm, where workers learn to sow, cultivate, and harvest produce; the Homegrown Gardens, where workers learn horticultural skills and nursery operations (customer service, inventory, etc.;) and the Women’s Organic Flower Enterprise, which teaches flower-arranging and secures wholesale orders from local business.
The organization also provides trainees with information on housing, counseling, physical and mental health services.
I think this project was an effective way to help others by maximizing on local strengths (agriculture.) The success of this project makes me wonder if similar ideas could be implemented in other areas with different products/services.
photos courtesy of the Homeless Garden Project
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