Grace Grows

Grace Grows' mission is to empower individuals who are experiencing homelessness and food insecurity through horticulture. The organization collaborates with GRACE Marketplace, a low barrier one-stop service and housing center for people who are experiencing homelessness, and with other community and agricultural organizations throughout Gainesville and Alachua County who share an interest in providing resources to people who are experiencing homelessness and food insecurity in an empowering and sustainable way. Our programs empower people through community development, education, and therapeutic horticulture. GRACE Grows has three main programs: - Vocational Training - Stable employment that provides a living wage is key to ending chronic homelessness. Students in the UF Doctor of Plant Medicine Program work with us to provide the GRACE Grows Vocational Training Program. Participants of this program are able to become Certified Horticulture Professionals through the Florida Nursery, Growers, and Landscape Association (FNGLA). This is a well-known and respected certification that substantially increases employment opportunities in the Florida agricultural sector. - Community Teaching Garden - Trauma informed care is a significant element of addressing the root causes of homelessness. For individuals that have experienced trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder prevents personal stability and inhibits work capacity. Our community teaching garden provides a therapeutic space for individuals to heal by connecting with nature, interacting with others in a positive environment, growing a portion of their own food, and learning about agriculture. -Grace Grows Community Food Project- In partnership with Project Advisors and an Advisory Group from the affected community, Grace Grows has initiated a community-driven planning process that will guide Southeast Gainesville towards better food access and food sovereignty.