Veterans Therapeutic Gardens

We, as board members of “Veterans Therapeutic Gardens” a 501 c3 non-profit, it is our mission to organize the entire process of building a veterans garden from beginning to the end. During the progression of garden building, we actively seek out and develop relationships with veterans and other individuals within the community interested in continuing working with and supporting the ongoing control and maintenance of the garden. We assist them in applying for their own 501 c3 with not only funding, but support and guidance of the processes necessary for this particular set up. Each garden will have some differences so we adjust accordingly.

During the planning and building of these gardens, the veteran community is reached out to and involved in the entire process. This gives them “ownership” of the garden in such a way that helps them become actively engaged not only in the construction of the garden, but with the people and businesses actively helping in the process. This is a very important process of healing and a “sense of community” that is integrated into this program, with long lived results allowing the veterans to feel good about who they are and what they have to bring to themselves and others. By this process we are able to elevate not only the veterans, but the community overall with a “teamwork” attitude. After the garden is built, the area not only becomes a place to gather socially for the veterans, but a place for them to make future plans on the continuing maintenance and planting of the garden. Veterans are encouraged to decide for themselves who are the recipients of the garden produce, whether that be for them personally or donating some to local food banks, senior citizen centers or to sell at Farmers Markets. This creates an atmosphere of anticipation and continuing involvement even after the garden is built and the harvest sown.

By building these gardens, we are creating camaraderie within the community that is a measurable and sustainable way with obvious results. This garden gives the veterans the tools they need to become successful and independent in their healing processes and allows them to feel like an integral part of a caring community that has shown them they are loved and supported.