Growing a gardening program for older adults: case study and lessons learned by Barbara Denson, BA

Giving back to the larger community has long been part of the mission of the Bon Secours New York Health System. Therefore, a project proposed in 2006—to create a community garden at the organization’s Schervier Nursing Care Center in the Bronx, New York—was a natural. Funded by an internal grant from the Bon Secours Mission and brought to life under the guidance of Patricia Leo, who served as coordinator from 2006 to 2009, the garden’s mandate was to be multicultural, multifaith, intergenerational (though geared mainly to people 65 years and older) and 100% organic. Additional funding from a Douglas J. Schwartz Greenhouse Grant supported the construction of a greenhouse on the community garden site.