| [Image: Jr MGs] |
| [Image: Damien] |
| [Image: Jr MGs 3] |
The principal and teachers at St. Helena Central Middle School envisioned a community garden as a means to nurture community spirit, common purpose and cultural appreciation among the diverse populations in St. Helena. Children and their parents involved in the school-based 4-H Club pictured a vibrant garden as an environmental classroom for tangible educational projects, service learning and leadership development. Several community leaders and local businesses were excited about this participation as a way to give back to their community.
The mission of the community garden is to bring school children and community members together to work for a sustainable planet. The project is designed to motivate and equip St. Helena children and residents to take action on behalf of youth at multiple levels -- as a community, as organizations, as families and as individuals. The focus of this effort is to strengthen the community’s capacity and effectiveness by facilitating academic performance, bridging intergenerational relationships, promoting dialogue and community service. As an outside classroom, it shall provide real-life, hands-on experience to study health and nutrition, oral health, science, mathematics, ecology, agriculture and more. The concept builds upon the existing community resources and assets; it has the power to change people’s lives and can affect St. Helena children in profound ways.
The SHCM Community Garden is an inclusive project, shaped by local community members, especially the youth, to serve the whole community. Steering committee members, representing the extensive cultural base in St. Helena, have been working in tandem with other local planning groups, organizations, civic groups, children, parents and residents to identify existing resources and interests for optimal participation and involvement.