Horticultural Therapy for Giving Tuesday
$12,115 Raised
- 24 Donors
- 24 Donations
40% complete
$30,000 Goal
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Giving Tuesday is a global day of generosity designed to bring people of all races, faiths, and political views together to support their community. This year, Chaparral House is seeking to fund the construction of a wheelchair accessible courtyard garden where our elders will engage in horticultural therapy.
Gardening is America’s most popular hobby, but very few eldercare facilities here offer horticultural therapy. We want to be at the forefront of the movement to reconnect our elders with gardening activities adapted to meet their needs. We invite you to get involved with this project by donating today!
Horticultural therapy is the use of plants and plant-based activities to promote health and well-being. It typically involves adapting and modifying familiar tasks to support people who would otherwise be unable to garden. Research shows that working with plants can bring many benefits for elders such as stress reduction, improved sleep, lowered blood pressure, improved memory and attention, and pain reduction.
In order to bring horticultural therapy to Chaparral House, we will need to transform our small courtyard. This will involve:
- Creating a paved, wheelchair accessible space in the courtyard
- Building elevated raised garden beds which can be used while seated
- Purchasing garden supplies for the residents to use
- Installing an outdoor sink
- Building a new fence and gate to keep the area safe and secure
Once construction is complete, there will be work spaces for up to 8 elders who can experience the benefits of horticultural therapy during their stay at Chaparral House. 90% of our residents are wheelchair users who would be unable to garden without this adapted set up.
This project will cost $30,000 and Mechanic’s Bank has already donated $10,000 to get us started. Our Giving Tuesday goal is to raise the remaining $20,000 to launch the Horticultural Therapy Project. Each station will cost roughly $3,750 after all expenses are considered. In the years to come, countless elders will be able to enjoy this space and reconnect with nature as they heal. Join us in our mission to re-imagine what it means to age and heal in Berkeley!
Examples of Accessible Garden Beds
Salem Village Assisted Living
Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital