2004 Award

2004 Award

SWEP-CT has approved a Memorandum of Understanding with Bridges, A Community Support System, Inc. regarding SWEP's grant of $1000.00 for the Benson-Crump Memorial Community Gardens Project in Milford, CT.

The project consists of the creation and maintenance of a 20' x 30' functional vegetable and herb garden. Volunteers for the garden will be comprised of staff members of Bridges, which is a private, non-profit outpatient mental health facility, as well as participants of the system.

Volunteers and the volunteer coordinators will participate in environmental training and National Organic Farmers Association (NOFA) meetings. Volunteers will obtain training in energy conservation, harvesting, plant propagation, and gardening techniques. Volunteers will also interface with other area environmental groups such as the Commission for Eisenhower Park, Milford Department of Recreation, and the Milford Audubon Environmental Center.

The participation in the Community Garden in Milford will enable the volunteers to interface with the community at large in a natural, non-threatening way. The benefits are mutual. The community is made better by organic farming, and in turn, the community is educated about mental illness. Gardening for volunteers will provide an upbeat, proactive chance for people to recognize their strengths and talents and see their hard work "bloom" in a practical way.

Congratulations to Bridges for being this year's selection for the 2004 Environmental Grant.