05 Apr Keystone Mission Keeps Growing with New Community Garden

Scranton, PA – The Seeds of Hope Community Garden will soon extend across Keystone Mission facilities as a new in-house program for guests experiencing homelessness. 

The Seeds of Hope program is designed to facilitate the dual development of life and vocational skills. The initiative engages Center guests, staff, and the local community to actively participate in planning, growing, and harvesting of fresh fruits and vegetables. 

Guests are integral to the planning process and are responsible for the ongoing garden maintenance throughout the season. As part of this hands-on experience, guests utilize the harvested fruits and vegetables to prepare meals, concurrently gaining insights into their nutritional value.  

“Learning to cultivate crops addresses both food insecurity, which greatly affects unsheltered individuals but also equips individuals with transferable skills that may enhance their employability,” says Lasha Wyman-Klein, Scranton Program Director.

Beginning in May, planning committees are set to be in place and the gardens will be active in their Scranton & Wilkes-Barre locations.  

“One of the goals we hope to accomplish by establishing this community garden is how best we can foster positive relationships between the community and the unhoused/unsheltered/homeless population,” says Danielle O. Keith-Alexandre, CEO & Executive Director. 

Keystone Mission is seeking community individuals & businesses to become part of their planning committee and work alongside staff and guests. For more information or to volunteer, please visit www.KeystoneMission.org/seeds-of-hope.