Growing a Community Service Relationship

On Saturday, November 10, 2012, Havens Elementary families joined homeless families at B.O.S.S. (Building Opportunities for Self Sufficiency) Ursula Sherman Village for our first Garden Party of the school year. The Village has several raised garden beds which needed harvesting and re-planting. The kids planted several types of leafy vegetables, peas, and herbs with the hope that a good crop will allow the kitchen staff to have more fresh vegetables through the winter.

Ursula Sherman Village teens harvested lettuce and picked tomatoes in the garden to make a delicious fresh salad for lunch. The volunteers and residents worked together to make soup from the harvested squash – everyone shared in the delicious product! Squash seeds were saved so that the program can have squash again next year.

 “Why are we here?” one of the Havens students asked during the Garden Party. Parents explained that the people who live at B.O.S.S. don’t have enough money to have their own homes; the meals they get are donated. Reviving the garden gives them a chance to provide their own fresh vegetables.

B.O.S.S. is a transition housing program for families without enough funds to make rent in our area. While families spend their months in the program, they not only get a roof over their heads, but also meals, childcare after school, and a computer lab for job applications and resume writing. Kids live in the Village, attend school every day and help in the Village afternoons and weekends. Parents know that they have a safe place for their kids to return to as they look for jobs or start new ones.

The growing relationship between Havens Community Service Crew and B.O.S.S. allows our elementary school age children learn to appreciate what they have and give time and service to the community around us, while having a lot of fun!

To learn more about Havens Community Service Crew, email havenscrew@gmail.com. Our next meeting will be at the Havens Administration Building meeting room at 8:45am on Thursday, November 29. We plan to return to B.O.S.S. for more gardening in January, March, and May.