To enhance the health and well-being of individuals through participation in community-based therapeutic gardening programs.
Garden Partners serves populations of elders, at-risk children and veterans. Many are lost, disconnected, and hidden from the world at large. Quite simply, we would rather not see or think about these populations, for several reasons.
With at-risk children, we may be reminded of the neglect, sorrow or sadness in people’s lives. With frail elders, we generally would rather not be reminded of our own frailty, pain or mortality. With Veterans, it is so hard to think of the atrocities of war, and even harder to believe that those who have served us end
up being cast aside. And, so --- It is easier to not look.
The Garden is a wonderful metaphor -- and beyond that, a real place for all of us to reconnect with parts of ourselves, parts of our culture, nature, and parts of our health that have been neglected.
For these ‘unseen’ populations, what is most compelling about the medium of Gardening, (and particularly social or therapeutic gardening), is that it is immediately regenerative, and provides an opportunity for natural collaboration. It is a nearly effortless way to interface and interact with mainstream society, with everyone benefitting.
The results are tangible and visible, and the process enjoyable while simultaneously relieving tension or despair.
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© 2006-2010 Garden Partners |
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P.O. Box 13280 |
503-288-1280 |
Web design by Rareheron Web Design Portland, Oregon |
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