Alexander Youth Network

The goal of this project is to better utilize the garden as a therapeutic tool in the treatment of 72 children we serve as part of our residential and outpatient behavioral health programs. Gardening was chosen as one of our enrichment activities because it aligns with our view that healing happens when we treat the whole child – emotionally, physically, cognitively and socially. Gardening is a purposeful, constructive activity that targets each of these areas simultaneously. The ancillary goal of improving our garden is to expand supply to our community partner, Friendship Gardens. A larger harvest would allow us to serve a new delivery route used to feed homebound individuals in Charlotte. Funds from this grant will allow us to train garden staff at the Organic Growers School in Asheville, NC, purchase a proven gardening curriculum to help standardize our program, and to supply our students with the necessary additional plants, seeds, and tools to expand their harvest.