In May of 1990, the Citizens Committee for the Homeless, a Santa Cruz County non-profit, began a new project by opening the gates of an organic garden on Pelton Drive. The Homeless Garden Project would provide job-training and meaningful work in a therapeutic environment.

The first Project grew from a quarter acre within an existing community garden to 2.5 acres of adjacent land made available by the City of Santa Cruz.  Ten homeless individuals took part in the transitional employment, job training and related services program. The larger garden allowed them to sell produce to local restaurants and Farmer’s Markets.  And they started the county's first community supported agriculture program from this site.

Natural Bridges Farm & WOFE

Through the help of Barry Swenson Builder, the Project expanded in 1994 to include Natural Bridges Farm, another 1.5-acre fallow parcel within the city limits.  

Additionally the Project added more work opportunities for homeless women through the Women’s Organic Flower Enterprise (WOFE).  WOFE participants made dried flower and herb wreaths using flowers grown at either of the two organic gardens. The Project employed between 30 and 50 homeless individuals each year.  The staff averaged four persons while volunteers and UCSC interns made important contributions

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In 1998, the Garden left its original Pelton site after the City of Santa Cruz sold the land.  The Project’s operations consolidated onto the expanded Natural Bridges Farm.  WOFE continued to broaden its range of products, mostly in the candle area.   And by the end of that year, the Homeless Garden Project separated from the Citizens Committee for the Homeless and became it’s own non-profit.

Pogonip Greenbelt

Soon afterwards, the City of Santa Cruz adopted a Master Plan for a 650-acre open space greenbelt at Pogonip which would include a nine-acre permanent site for the Project.  Necessary management, operation and site plans have begun and once key issues are resolved -- such as determining a source of water -- a capital campaign to fund the gardens and buildings will begin.

Retail Stores

The Project increased its visibility within the community by starting a tradition of selling the WOFE wreaths and candles during the winter holiday season.  Come each October, supporters would start calling to find out in which donated downtown space we'd be located.

We opened a year-round retail store at 101 West Cliff Drive in the summer of 2002.    We currently lease this space from the City of Santa Cruz at a nominal rate.  Our administrative offices are also housed in this building.