Methodist Church Builds Gardens for Hesed House Homeless Shelter

Last summer a Harbor resident (permanent supportive housing program at Hesed House) started growing vegetables and flowers in makeshift pots and planters. To everyone’s surprise - he grew corn, peppers, and other plants. Staff and residents were excited to see the results as things grew. His accomplishment brought him both purpose and accomplishment.

This Spring, Pastor Lisa Telomen encouraged United Methodist Church of Geneva’s Creation Care team to celebrate Earth Day by helping to create gardens at Hesed House that would expand on that resident’s vision. On Earth Day Sunday, the team held a fundraiser for the gardens and people signed up to help with the project. Volunteers from the UMC of Geneva worked to install several raised bed gardens for planting vegetables and flowers. Creation Care Team leader Debbie Karr remarked “the team hopes that the garden will not only be a source of fresh food and flowers for Hesed House, but a place that also gives individuals in the Harbor program a feeling of joy and purpose.”

“Making a real garden this year has inspired additional residents to get excited about the garden. One resident came back last week with two bags of plants for the garden. The garden is bringing the residents into community with each other.” stated Carolyn Sprawka a Director at Hesed House.

According to Sprawka “it looks wonderful and it gives the small backyard area some purpose, beauty, and makes it feel more like a home.”