You Reap What You Sow
Wanda and Stephanie
This summer witnessed a first time gardening event at the Shelter, and now youth are reaping the benefits of what they sowed.
The Garden Project stemmed from an idea to educate youth on the art of gardening and to promote well being by teaching youth lessons about nutrition. With the support and guidance of folks from the Ecology Action Centre (EAC), shelter staff and youth broke ground in June and a beautiful garden space began to take shape. Flowers, herbs and vegetables were planted, tended to, and cared for by a team of staff, EAC volunteers and youth who remained committed to seeing the garden prosper in all of its bountiful beauty.
While youth at the shelter benefitted from the fruits of their labour in the form of nutritious, tasty meals and the ambiance of fresh flowers at the dinner table, much more was taken from the whole gardening experience. Fond memories of happy times in the garden with grandparents were resurrected by some youth. Relationships with staff and youth were also fortified through their learning. Self confidence and pride was shared around the dinner table as those who cared for the crop provided for others.
Staff member Stephanie Hurlbert, Key Worker at Phoenix’s Youth Shelter, was pivotal to the project and shares “The garden project was a real success. It really has been an invaluable experience for all of our youth. Working in the garden promoted cooperation and problem solving among our youth. It offered a hands-on approach to learning. It promoted physical health by teaching our youth lessons about food and nutrition. It helped our youth become leaders as they taught newcomers things they had learned on previous gardening nights. Last but not least, for those youth who had a chance to nurture the plants from seed to harvest – they gained a sense of self-confidence, self-esteem and pride”.
The excitement and success of this year’s Garden Project has prompted plans to expand and enhance the plot for next year.
Phoenix extends a heartfelt thank you to Ella Tetrault and Jayne Griffin, past Shelter staff members, for their vision of the project and their support in making it come to life, as well as to the Ecology Action Centre for their steadfast leadership.
