More than six years ago, Executive Director Reba Terry of Cleveland’s The Caring Place dreamed about this idea—creation of a community garden. As with many ideas, this one, too, germinated and later took root while Terry served on a committee for the Healthy Communities Initiative. Dialogue between Terry and County Commissioner Lisa Stanbery occurred following a meeting, and a suggestion for possible funding from local grants emerged. The expertise to make the dream a reality sprouted when horticulturist Suzanne Bennett from Cleveland State Community College toured The Caring Place as part of the Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Cleveland program.

The final component, the land needed to plant the garden, came about through group discussions with local partners including the director of Cleveland Housing Authority, Mr. Paul Dellinger. Approximately 10 residents from the development have consistently participated in everything from choosing a plot for planting to learning about composting and rain water collection to supporting a spirit of volunteerism that makes the community garden a success.

Reba Terry envisions this “seed” idea eventually being replicated on other housing sites throughout the Cleveland area. For more information about community gardens or volunteering at the East Street location, please contact Suzanne Bennett at sbennett@clevelandstatecc.edu or contact The Caring Place at 423.472.4144 or www.thecaringplaceonline.org.