Community Connections: Skinner City Garden
Setting Down Roots
This year was the inaugural year of the Easterseals Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program Community Garden Plot at Skinner City Garden, at the base of Skinner Butte. The goal of this project is to provide a safe and inclusive space to meet with our Veteran participants (and prospective participants) whom may have any apprehensions of meeting in an office setting.
Plotting A Course
Additionally, the intent of this project is to create a fitting workspace for participants that express a desire for gardening, landscaping and other outdoor activities as a basic interest or even a career path.
Throughout the first year of our community garden plot, Becca Conway (one of the Parks and Open Spaces employees) has periodically provided potential farm employment opportunities for the Veterans we serve. During the peak season, our employment specialist (Sean) was going every Tuesday night after work for a couple hours in order to tend to the plot, and he was able to establish a deeper connection with a homeless Veteran participant who was not comfortable in our typical office environment.
Preparations for Winter
With the 2021 winter season approaching, Sean will be covering most of the plot with shade cloth to prevent grass and weeds form growing. This will preserve the plot through the tougher winter months, until it's time to prepare for the Spring planting season. Sean is planning on doing the bulk of winterization for the garden on November 13th, and we are inviting any Veterans who are interested in volunteering to help us! If you're interested in attending or if you'd like to learn more, please Contact Us here.
If you are a Veteran who is homeless or at risk of homelessness, please contact us here to learn more about how we can help.
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