In the soil of our urban, organic farm and garden, people find the tools they need to build a home in the world.
Our core work is designed for people experiencing homelessness to work while receiving job training and social support in our yearlong program at our organic farm and value-added retail social enterprise where they are paid wages for their work. Last year, 91% of graduates obtained stable employment and 83% obtained stable housing within 3 months of completing the program.
Our trainees are individuals experiencing homelessness. They provide food for others in the community. The trainees work on their farm, earn wages, build job skills in hands-on roles on our farm and retail “value-added social enterprise” and overcome barriers to stability. The Feed 2 Birds program donates organic healthy produce that’s grown locally to other peer organizations in the community to provide for their clients. In 2024 we’ve increased the number of shares again.
Thanks to donors from Santa Cruz Gives and partnerships with 15 local nonprofits, in 2022 we grew our program to provide organic produce at no cost to individuals battling food insecurity from 30 weekly boxes of produce to 45 weekly — grown by trainees in HGP’s transitional employment program. In 2023 the program doubled from 30 shares to 60.
The produce is grown from seed to harvest by individuals experiencing homelessness in HGP’s core transitional employment program, raising self-esteem and demonstrating that their actions can positively impact our community.
We also operate an online retail shop. Originally started as a way to provide employment for participants during the rainy season, the enterprise now sells over 40 products year-round at the Downtown Pacific Avenue store, Capitola Esplanade store, online and to wholesale accounts. Please visit!
I think there should be more programs like this in the US, especially for people that are in recovery, dealing with addiction, because I am proof that it could work out for the best.
Frank Daly, Santa Cruz
