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Cultivating hope: Homeless youth learn about gardening
CLEARLAKE, Calif. – Few things are more overwhelming than having nowhere to live.
For homeless youth – who are often on their own, without the support of family, friends, or church communities – the anxiety and disconnection can be devastating.
A safe place to not only sleep, but also to reestablish a sense of community and belonging, hope and confidence in the future, can make a lifelong difference to youth experiencing homelessness.
That’s why two directors from St. Helena Hospital Clearlake, Suzette Lewis and Kathleen Soones, volunteered to help the homeless youth served by Safe House of Lake County plant a kitchen garden for the shelter. They purchased plants, then joined Safe House’s residents in planting their garden.
“This was a wonderful opportunity for us to give back to the community. St. Helena Hospital is a very mission-driven organization,” said Soones, director of medical staff. “Our mission includes sharing God’s love through service, and relieving suffering by treating the whole person, body, mind and spirit. Gardening is one of the most healing activities we know, so this project was a perfect fit for us.”
The Safe House opened its doors in 2009, and has since provided shelter, food and services to 45 teens from around Lake County.
Located in a quiet neighborhood, the ranch home includes a fenced back yard, large oak trees, two beautiful palm trees and now a vegetable garden.
“The garden is a personal sanctuary these kids can grow and maintain, something both beautiful and useful that they can build with their own hands,” Soones added.
“There’s a sense of connection with life that comes from working in a garden and growing your own food,” said Lewis, director of medical surgical unit and intensive care. “Gardening draws people into the community and provides opportunities to contribute that go far beyond the food value of what they can grow.”
Programs across the country recognize the value of gardening for vulnerable youth. Gardening reinforces academic learning through a variety of hands-on experiences.
It teaches practical skills, teamwork and cooperation, leadership, and habits of responsibility that successfully transfer to later employment and other life situations.
That Safe House welcomes donations from the community. For more information please contact Dr. Bill MacDougall at 707-279-8935.