The Horticultural Therapeutic Community Center (HTCC) program (otherwise known as the Community Garden program) will be expanded and extended through 2020. FIRM has been going through the proposal process since March and was given word that the proposal was accepted in late April. The new program proposal will not only see an increase in funding by 20%, but also include funding for the development and operation of a new African refugee garden. Currently, FIRM operates HTCC programs that serve the Southeast Asian population (3 gardens), Ukrainian population (1 garden) and with the addition of this new African refugee garden, will make for a total of 5 such programs.
The new African refugee garden was made possible not only through the funding from the County of Fresno, but also through the generous donation of land from 4141 Ministries which is a faith based non-profit organization that works to “convene congregations and collaborative conversations to create transformed communities.” The donated land will allow for 10-15 participants from the African community in Fresno and will also feature a special plot reserved for the growing of peanuts. Participants will be able to connect with others in the African community through peer support groups, workshops and the gardening activities at the site. FIRM will add Mr. Meso Beta to the staff team who is from Congo and holds a Master’s degree in Plant Sciences. He will start on July 1st along with the development of this exciting new project!