Homeless Garden Project moves closer to permanent home in Santa Cruz
The Homeless Garden Project has received city approval to purchase the land it has leased for decades, marking a significant step toward expanding its mission to help people experiencing homelessness.
SANTA CRUZ, Calif. —
The Homeless Garden Project in Santa Cruz has received city approval to purchase the land it has leased for decades, bringing the nonprofit closer to establishing a permanent home for its work helping people experiencing homelessness.
“I was living a horrible lifestyle of homeless out there on the street, and now I just. Everything has changed. My life is looking up. I’m a student now, and, I work, and I’m able to just breathe, you know, wake up in the morning, have a sense of security coming to work,” said Crystal Murrieta, a program participant at Homeless Garden Project.
For more than 30 years, the organization has used farming at Natural Bridges Farm to help people build job skills and rebuild their lives.
However, the nonprofit has never owned the land it works on.
“Not having a site is anxiety inducing,” said Roman Gioglio, training and education supervisor for Homeless Garden Project.
The city’s recent approval of a lot split and key permits allows the nonprofit to move forward with purchasing the property.
“It’s both a relief. It’s exciting. There is more work ahead. You know, so that’s on my mind, too. But, it’s just a moment to celebrate everything that’s come before and all the people that have helped us get to this point,” said Darrie Ganzhorn, executive director of the Homeless Garden Project.
Currently, staff are spread across multiple locations, but leaders say owning the land will allow them to consolidate their work into one permanent space, which will include a workshop, farm stand, and commercial kitchen.
“It’s really going to build, I think, some synergy amongst the staff, amongst all our trainees and open up opportunities for, you know, better jobs and higher paying jobs for our trainees,” said Gioglio.
The need for the program continues to grow, with 40 people currently on the waiting list. Leaders hope the new space will help them reach even more people in the future.
“Just knowing that we are secure here, allows us to invest in planning and allows us to think about the future and to have that one step in place, that one piece of sustainability in place,” said Ganzhorn.
For those currently involved in the program, the milestone is a source of pride and excitement.
“I’m glad that this place has now, a place to call home. You know, it’s so exciting. I’m. I’m I’m so proud to be part of this place like this,” said Murrieta.
The nonprofit has already secured funding to begin the first phase of construction, which they hope to start next year.
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