by Venice Mason
Bright sunshine and crisp cool air greeted folks joining the March to End Homelessness on April 1st. As
Mayor Fred Keely raised his fist to the sky and promised to do even better for those in need, a note of hopefulness rang through the air. During Indigenous activist and Santa Cruz Community Health Certified Mediator Mace Crowbear’s speech, many were moved to tears as she shared her personal living experience of hardships leading to homelessness for her own family. Indigenous people are impacted disproportionately by homelessness here. Despite making up less than one percent of the population according to DataShare Santa Cruz County, American Indians/Alaskan Natives account for 3% of those experiencing homelessness in the Santa Cruz County point in time (PIT) count. Addressing this disparity is key to housing equity.
After the speeches, signs were gathered and the march down the mall began. Refreshments at the Homeless Garden Project storefront were perfectly lovely and a deep reminder of what people experiencing homelessness can achieve. Gathering out front for organic tea harvested from their local farm and sold on site, the Executive Director of the project chatted with program participants as other community members stopped to mingle. This level of community participation is amazing to witness as a visitor here. Seeing people literally walk the extra mile for those in need was inspiring.
After tea, the march proceeded over the bridge and to the community celebration at the courthouse where multiple social service agencies gathered. Food, music, vendors, and activities offered a well-rounded view of those serving people facing the gauntlet of housing insecurity. Social safety nets are crucial to addressing critical needs in communities. As the crowd mingled and the band got funky, many were dancing and eating together, celebrating the work, and honoring each other’s contributions.
Housing is paramount for those experiencing homelessness and life challenges generally. With housing stability, healing can become a priority. Working through the issues that led to homelessness can be daunting, and trying to do that without housing is like patching a ship at sea. Much better to harbor safely and then tackle all the leaks!
Enter the Homeless Gardening Project, a local program with a rich history of helping homeless folks achieve housing through employment opportunities. Hiring local people experiencing homelessness provides a crucial open door for many. At their farm near natural bridges, gardens are thriving, and lives are changing daily. Established for decades, the gardens have seen many changes over the years. Executive Director Darrie Ganzehorn has been a huge part of this program’s success. Starting in 1991 and leading the team since 2008, her guidance has achieved milestones including the recent 3.5-million-dollar capital campaign. Sharing the programs’ success has become a priority, with a new guidebook created in partnership with the University of Santa Cruz in the works to share tools with other cities.
Seeing the town come down to demonstrate their solidarity with neighbors in need was just the experience I needed to keep working in my own small rural Oregon community. In a world where many ignore the problems they see; Santa Cruz stands out as particularly progressive in meeting the needs of those experiencing homelessness. Far from the bustle of the march, the gardens grow quickly, providing hope for those who need it most and sanctuary for all who work together daily to make a difference in the lives of vulnerable people. Way to go community! Thanks for having me and allowing me to share in this wonderful experience.
