Hope Grows Here Gardening
Youth impacted by trauma often feel disconnected—from themselves, from stability, and from the nurturing experiences that help children grow. Hope Grows Here was created to offer youth in foster and residential care the healing power of nature, hands-on learning, and the opportunity to care for something—and be cared for in return.
Through trauma-informed gardening experiences, youth learn to plant, tend, and nurture living things while also cultivating patience, responsibility, and pride. In the quiet rhythm of the garden, they discover a sense of calm, purpose, and connection. Each session offers a safe, grounded space where healing can take root—through soil, sunlight, and the steady encouragement of trusted adults.
Healing thru Nature
For youth in residential care, life often feels chaotic—marked by change, instability, and a loss of control. Hope Grows Here offers a calming, hands-on environment where youth can slow down, get their hands in the soil, and reconnect with themselves and the world around them.
Each session encourages youth to engage in meaningful, nature-based activities—planting seeds, tending gardens, and harvesting the results of their care. These simple acts become powerful metaphors for growth, resilience, and renewal. As they nurture the garden, youth also nurture a sense of responsibility, patience, and pride in their ability to cultivate and care for living things.
Programming is offered weekly over a 10-week period each summer, creating consistent opportunities for skill-building, connection, and healing during a crucial time of year. To extend learning and engagement, monthly garden clinics are also offered throughout the school year, reinforcing lessons and deepening youth connection to the natural world.
Facilitated by trauma-informed staff and volunteers, every gardening session is rooted in safety, consistency, and connection. The garden becomes more than just a space to grow plants—it becomes a space to grow self-confidence, social-emotional skills, and a sense of peace that youth can carry with them long after the season ends.