Establishing Gardens to Help Feed Youth
Nursing student Stefanie Parks has planted a number of gardens to ensure food security for youth in Regina.
A world pandemic, coupled with rapidly increasing food costs, has made running a non-profit organization difficult, especially for Street Culture Project, which operates four residential peer houses and programming for underserved youth in Regina.
Stefanie Parks, 3rd year nursing student from the Regina Campus, was completing her clinical placement at Street Culture when she saw the non-profit was not able to purchase the amount of fresh produce as they would like.
“One evening while sitting on the deck with some youth, I noticed several garden beds on the property that were sitting empty and considered how a full garden would provide a surplus of nutrient-dense food options to sustain the youth through the summer months,” said Parks. “I understood that purchasing the plants would cause additional strain on Street Culture’s already restricted budget, and believed that if local greenhouses understood the need within their community, they would be willing to help.”
Parks got to work creating a plan and reaching out to greenhouses. “The response has been completely overwhelming,” said Parks. “Thanks to the incredible support of local greenhouses, we have been able to plant gardens at Street Culture Project's peer homes, provide support to other Street Culture programs, and donate plants to community gardens throughout Regina. Our ability to substantially enhance the amount of fresh produce available at Street Culture Project has far surpassed my hopes at the start of this outreach.”
From corn to beans, tomatoes to lettuce, potatoes to watermelon - the donations from greenhouses came pouring in. There was a total of 685 plants donated in only three days. “I am a firm believer that there are so many good people in the world who would be willing to help others if given the opportunity,” said Parks. “The support shown by these greenhouses highlights the amazing ability of our community to come together and support one another in times of need. I send my sincere thanks to Doorn's Greenhouse, Cherry Lane Greenhouse & Gifts, Cedar Creek Gardens, and Plant Ranch Inc.”
Not only is this wonderful work of Stefanie’s ensuring a surplus of nutrient-dense foods for youth at Street Culture, the gardens are also a learning opportunity for those involved. The gardens will be cared for by the youth residing at each home, providing them with a sense of ownership and responsibility, in addition to learning invaluable life skills that can help to provide them with nourishment in the future.
Jamie Malinowski is the Practicum and Community Networking Director at Street Culture Project and is extremely grateful for the gardens Parks has created. “The impact of Stefanie’s project will be felt by so many individuals long after her nursing clinical placement with Street Culture is over,” said Malinowski. “Thank you Stefanie for building these connections and fostering this idea with our youth and community.”