“Seeing everything we grow and harvest, and seeing the members of our community coming and picking up is so radical. I really get to see the fruits and veggies of our labor. " - Kyle Franks
The initial vision of the Homeless Garden Project was a place for those without housing to find safety and inclusion. It became clear that many people experiencing homelessness want to work. That was a start - but there needed to be a way to pay these laborers for their work. And there needed to be programs to help these workers gain the skills necessary to secure jobs and housing. It seems so simple. Something that would benefit all of us - on many levels.
But simple in concept doesn't mean simple in practice. What makes the Homeless Garden Project truly transformative is that we don't just provide temporary work. We pay our trainees an hourly wage while investing deeply in their futures: developing job skills, nurturing confidence, securing housing, and building relationships needed for lasting stability.
The reality is that farming operates on thin margins. Yet our commitment goes far beyond just growing vegetables. We're growing lives, careers, and hope—and that requires resources that far exceed what the farm can generate on its own.
- In 2024, 93% of our graduates secured stable jobs and 93% of graduates obtained stable housing. Last year we provided nearly 22,000 paid hours of job training. And we could not have done it without your support.
Take a moment to watch the short video below, created in celebration of receiving UCSC’s Community Changemaker award in 2024. It highlights how we plant seeds and transform lives. We invite you to support the Impact Fund, helping us expand our effective and proven program to reach more individuals facing homelessness.
"I have surpassed what I thought my capabilities were. I found that I am a diligent worker. I’m always ready to learn. When I do a task, I’m focused. I make sure to do the task right and if I’m unsure about what I’m doing, I ask questions. I enjoy farming. Plants are wonderful. Growing food is very important work, I think. Being part of organic farming has been a self-esteem booster. I feel that it is a very sacred thing to put my hands in the dirt, be next to nature and grow food with a community of people that accept me." - Aimee Vasseur