Cultivating Growth With 'Seedfolks'

The Homeless Garden Project (HGP) announces the third and final event of its 2020 Sustain in Place: A series of at-home tastings, will be held on Dec. 12, 2020, at 3pm. The fundraising event features readings from “Seedfolks,” by Newbery Medal winner Paul Fleischman. The story, suitable for all ages, is about a diverse cast of characters transforming an empty lot in Cleveland, Ohio, into a community garden and the transformations that they each experience.

This virtual gathering features Paul Fleischman, as well as six community leaders, each of whom will read a chapter:
Donna Meyers, Incoming Mayor, City of Santa Cruz
Jonathan Franzen, award-winning author
Tony Elliot, Parks and Recreation Director, City of Santa Cruz
Justin Cummings, Mayor, City of Santa Cruz
Blanca Tavera, LCSW, Faculty, School of Social Work, San Jose State University
Mike Ryan, Artistic Director, Santa Cruz Shakespeare

Guests will also have the opportunity to pick up a reusable grocery tote bag (donated by New Leaf Community Markets) from Homeless Garden Project’s Downtown Store, filled with a copy of “Seedfolks,” HGP's organic lavender shortbread cookie mix, a jar of HGP's organic strawberry or pumpkin jam, HGP's organic herbal tea and fresh baked bread donated by La Posta Restaurant and other local bakeries.

Tickets cost $25-95, benefit HGP’s programs and are available at homelessgardenproject.org. By attending the Sustain in Place event, guests will be helping to support trainees in transforming their lives and gaining the skills they need to build their home in the world.
Ticket information is available at bit.ly/SeedfolksHGP or on the Homeless Garden Project website.

“We’re thrilled to feature “Seedfolks,” a story of hope, at this special holiday event. The story resonates with HGP's mission and the life transformations that our trainees experience in our program,” says Homeless Garden Project Director, Darrie Ganzhorn. “We hope this event will not only create a special holiday memory for our guests but also strengthen our community’s connection to our work.”

The Sustain in Place series is generously sponsored by New Leaf Community Markets, La Posta Restaurant and Mutari Chocolate. Special thanks to HarperCollins Children's Books for donating the copies of “Seedfolks.”

ABOUT THE HOMELESS GARDEN PROJECT
The Homeless Garden Project (HGP) provides job training, transitional employment and support services to people who are experiencing homelessness. HGP's vibrant education and volunteer program for the broad community blends formal, experiential and service-learning. Programs take place in their 3.5-acre organic farm and related enterprises.
HGP’s new Pogonip Farm will nearly triple the organization’s capacity to offer individuals experiencing homelessness HGP’s award-winning job training program that delivers an annual average of 90% success for securing stable housing and employment. Due to strong community engagement, the Project completed a $3.5 million Capital Campaign goal to build the farm. HGP’s decades-long commitment to sound science and best practices in organic farming continues through the construction process and into future farming operations at Pogonip Farm. Construction is expected to begin in 2021.
Learn more at www.homelessgardenproject.org or engage on Facebook and Instagram.
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