House Rules: The Community Garden at Monika’s House
by Hannah Schmalz, Resident Assistance Specialist, Monika’s House
It’s August and the summer sun is shining on a new garden at the Monika’s House Shelter, a program of Domestic Violence Resource Center. Tomatoes, peppers, greens and spices have spread their roots and are growing tall in the shelter’s backyard garden. In the evenings, one of the residents of Monika’s House waters the garden, and during the past few weeks it has been ten-year-old Anastasia who has taken over the watering every night.
Anastasia, who is staying at Monika’s House with her brother and her mom, says that watering the garden reminds her of the place they lived before coming to the Shelter. “My friend and I used to water and clean up yards there…even plant things,” Anastasia said. The shelter garden’s planter boxes and pots have already produced an abundance of salad greens, chards, kales and chives which residents have used to make salads and spice up dinners, and everyone is looking forward to the soon-to-be-ripening tomatoes.
Just a few short months ago, the backyard of the shelter was completely overgrown with weeds and brush. Advocates working at the shelter had long dreamed of having a garden space for the residents, but the project could not have happened without the energy and effort of the Portland State women’s volleyball team, who came to the shelter at the end of May and cleared the ground and planted the vegetables and flowers as part of their end-of-the-season service project (see photo). “We’re grateful to Monika’s House for giving Portland State volleyball the opportunity to serve a great organization,” Head Coach Michael Seemann said. “I’m very proud of what the team accomplished and we’re looking forward to more service projects with Monika’s House in the future.”
The Portland Nursery donated all of the garden’s vegetables, flowers and planting soil. Leticia Yniguez of the Oregon Food Bank brought over a large garden box that the Food Bank donated and offered lots of helpful gardening tips too. In the coming months, Monika’s House staff will collaborate with the Oregon Food Bank to offer cooking classes to the residents of Monika’s House Shelter, using vegetables from the garden.
***
Gardening is only one of the activities we provide for the Shelter residents to aid them in regaining a sense of control over their lives. Help us continue providing a safe and empowering environment at Monika’s House Shelter, a program of Domestic Violence Resource Center! Let kids like Anastasia know that you care!
Please consider making a contribution now. Click here to make a fast, easy, and secure online donation. Thank you!
***
More stories:
Editorial: Oregon Coalition’s Annual Conference
Save the Date: 10th Candlelight Vigil
In the News: The Hillsboro Argus on Resilience
Journeys of Survival: Victoria S.
