Grant Will Help Build Ploughshares Retail Center

From an Alameda Point Collaborative press release:

The Bonita Garden Club has awarded Alameda Point Collaborative (APC) a $150,000 grant to support the construction of a new green retail space for its social enterprise nursery.

The grant comes in addition to significant funding already committed to the project. It will allow APC to complete the building, including an educational center which will host classes for the public and provide space for residents to participate in on-the-job training.  

The project will help the nursery expand its retail operations as well as provide an education center for Bay Area gardeners.

Ploughshares Nursery specializes California Native drought-tolerant and edible plants, supporting sustainable gardening practices and providing a valuable service to the community.

The nursery also serves as a job training site for formerly homeless residents of APC’s housing.

Executive Director Doug Biggs remarks, “This grant is an incredible gift that will allow us to achieve our dream of having a beautiful sustainable retail center that will become a destination nursery for Bay Area gardeners.”

The Bonita Garden Club focuses on expanding horticultural education and supporting professional field training in the greater Bay Area. APC works with many organizations to ensure that residents have access to services they need and relies on volunteers to accomplish their mission.

When construction starts in a few months, APC will reach out to groups to volunteer and participate in the construction of the new building. APC accepts both individual volunteers and groups, who can help at the urban farm or plant nursery, or by tutoring youth. 

APC is a supportive housing program serving 500 formerly homeless residents on the converted Alameda Naval Air Station.  Supportive housing combines the stability of a place to live with life skills and job skills training, advocacy to connect with services, and emotional support all with the ultimate goal of getting the support needed to be able to lead a stable, productive life.