Where a Garden Grows for Mental Health
The Chemical Free Garden is entering its sixth year of providing work and interpersonal skill development for people who are affected by a mental illness.
From May through October, our bi-weekly classes, led by Bill Kelly, Peer Specialist and Master Gardener, provide a hands-on learning environment for nurturing and cultivating various heirloom and organic plantings and to work as a team to keep twenty-three raised garden beds productive. Our garden also provides a serene and supportive environment complete with raspberry and blueberry bushes, grape vines, indigenous flowers that welcomes birds and butterflies, complete with a solar water fountain encircled by garden benches. From June through October the harvest is donated each Wednesday to Charlotte's Table food pantry in Ronkonkoma, helping to feed wholesome, plant-based food to anyone who is in need.
DONATE NOWA Valentine's Day Idea
This Valentine's Day, please help us support our members who are giving back to their community as they work on their goals for mental health recovery. For 2018 we need to raise $2,000 to repair our garden beds, introduce new plantings, and expand our drip irrigation system.