Bountiful Harvest of Spiritual Growth and Produce at the Bowery Mission
The Bowery Mission's Rooftop Garden: A Green Oasis of Hope and Healing
In the heart of New York City, the Bowery Mission, a transitional home and shelter that has provided sanctuary and recovery for homeless men for over a century and a half, has taken an innovative approach to healing and empowerment. One such initiative is the Bowery Mission's rooftop garden.
The garden, which was first installed in April 2011, was the brainchild of Matt Krivich, the operations director of the Bowery Mission. Krivich saw the rooftop garden as a training ground for budding gardeners and a metaphor for a seed sprouting after a long, cold winter. The project was funded by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA).
Initially, the residents of the Bowery Mission were hesitant towards green vegetables. However, over time, they have expressed fondness for broccoli, bok choy, and sautéed spinach. The rooftop harvests now include a variety of vegetables such as calendula, collards, carrots, kale, tomatoes, basil, peppers, mint, squash, eggplant, and more. The head chef at the Bowery Mission has benefited from the garden, using the fresh produce to create dishes like mint tea, salsa, bruschetta, Capri salad, and more.
The rooftop garden has also led to the addition of a training curriculum for residents, potentially enhancing their skill set for employment. Volunteer Amy Anthony will set up an irrigation system and companion planting for the rooftop garden.
In 2012, a rooftop garden with over a dozen garden beds was installed, producing a bountiful harvest. Greensulate, the green-roof specialists, built a garden bed for the Bowery Mission free of charge. The Bowery Mission's rooftop garden received a $30,000 grant from the United Way.
The residents of the Bowery Mission stay for 6 to 15 months and receive three meals a day. The Bowery Mission offers shelter, sustenance, clothing, medical care, counseling, legal aid, housing placement, and a rehabilitative curriculum. The aim of the Bowery Mission is for healing to take place in the heart, mind, body, and spirit of its residents.
Matt Krivich believes that feeding the body is essential to recovery as feeding the soul. The Bowery Mission's philosophy is that homelessness stems from a range of complex circumstances, including financial instability, chronic substance abuse, family trauma, and sexual victimization. The rooftop garden, therefore, serves not only as a source of fresh, nutritious food but also as a symbol of hope and growth for the residents of the Bowery Mission.
Brian Johansson, vice president of operations, plans to bring the garden initiative to other Bowery Mission facilities, such as a chicken coop to the Mission's women's center in Harlem. The Bowery Mission's rooftop garden is a testament to the power of community, collaboration, and the transformative potential of a simple seed.
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