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| About Us |
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 About UsAs of 2000, we are in our 10th year of providing an opportunity for homeless people to regain their self-esteem, economic self-reliance, and place in our community. The training and employment program provides for 24 positions in 2 activities--an organic garden/minifarm, and a dried flower/candle-making enterprise. The training program provides enough structure to be effective while maintaining the flexibility necessary to address individual circumstances.The employment and training programs produce revenue-generating products, which fall into 3 enterprises: Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) In CSA, individuals and families invest in the Garden by buying into the harvest each year at the beginning of the growing season. A "shareholder" receives a weekly supply of organically grown produce and flowers throughout the harvest season, from May through November. Woman's Organic Flower Enterprise (WOFE) The organic garden and workshop provide a nurturing space where women feel safe, where healing may take place, and where women learn to help themselves. The women of WOFE produce wreaths, dried flower arrangements and hand-dipped beeswax candles from organic flowers and herbs grown in the garden. The hand-crafted gift line is sold both wholesale and retail. WOFE products can be purchased at Greenmarketplace.com. Commercial Produce and Flower Sales Produce and flowers not distributed through CSA is offered at weekly Farmers Market and to local restaurants, health food stores and other retail outlets. Other Homeless Garden Project activities include: Side Job Program This program provides an opportunity for local residents to hire Homeless Garden Project workers for landscaping, yard work, hauling and similar jobs. This provides workers with additional income, an opportunity to make contacts in the community, and work experience outside the Project's structured setting. Education and Volunteer Program School groups are able to observe and participate in the process of growing food, and learn about sustainable agriculture practices. The Homeless Garden Project also provides internship and volunteer opportunities. Volunteers work in the gardens, help with wreath and candle production, staff our retail store, assist in social services, or help in other ways such as fund raising or activities support. |