ReGrowth Program
“Through learning opportunities in the gardens, the crew in the program give back to the community. They gain skills to help maintain, harvest, and distribute produce from community gardens in our neighborhood.” said Levia Heffner, this year’s ReGrowth program supervisor. “While planting the seeds in the gardens, it is planting seeds to help with the transition of those in our program into life in the community.”
“ReGrowth is more than gardens and produce, but reconnecting to the community. If it starts off with a garden it’s going to expand.”
“ReGrowth has helped me in so many ways. Helped me learn about gardens, fruits, and veggies. Helped me gain more patience by planting seeds and watching them grow. Also helped me with some personal issues. ReGrowth has also helped me get a job in the field I planned on making a career.”
ReGrowth is neighbor initiated through the Southeast and SoIndy Quality of Life (QoL) plan, Health and Wellness Action Team. ReGrowth activates grassroots community collaboration around community gardening.
Three gardens located within the QoL neighborhoods, Fountain Square Community Gardens, Gram's Gardens in Garfield Park, and New Vision Missionary Baptist Church in Christian Park/Twin Aire, worked together to apply for funding to support a training and workforce development. Forming a collective vision, the ReGrowth project addresses a common challenge and need for additional human capital to enhance current processes and results, in addition to the empowerment of under-resourced populations through economic mobility opportunities.
ReGrowth has new partnerships since receiving funds, including Norwood, Southside Community Organization in Barrington, Emma Donnan/Adelante in Bean Creek, and Fletcher Place Community Gardens. Providing infrastructure, education, and access to gainful employment within the food system, the gardens and community partners experience an increase in collaboration, capacity, and yield, while also providing employees with skillsets in community building, food justice, and cultivation.
Want to learn more or get involved with the ReGrowth Program?
Contact Community Builder Kate Voss at CommunityBuilder@sendcdc.org.