Family Supportive Housing is one of the only places in the South Bay that provides interim housing and support for entire families while they look for more secure shelter, education and employment. As of March 30th, families at Family Supportive Housing can now tend to and reap the benefits of a new shared garden at their facility as a result of a project sponsored by United Way of Silicon Valley, CommUniverCity, and Garden to Table.

Designed as a week-long “alternative spring break” service project, over thirty students students from San Jose State University, Mission College, and San Francisco Academy of Art came together on their spring break to build a community garden in this space. These students spent the week assembling three raised beds, hauling in soil to fill the beds, and carefully sowing the seeds and seedlings for a garden filled with organic onions, carrots, tomatoes and herbs.

Kevin Schroder, Project Coordinator from CommUniverCity says of the project, “These college students demonstrated that with a sense of compassion and community spirit, they could accomplish a project that will benefit families for many years to come.” As a result, families can work side by side to tend to this healthy asset. And all families will be able to incorporate fresh vegetables and herbs into the food they prepare and eat. In addition, children at Family Supportive Housing can now experience the wonder of growing vegetables. Below is just a few kid’s appreciation of the newest addition to their home.