Garden of Hope
The Garden of Hope is a teaching garden on the Duarte campus of the City of Hope that's open to patients, employees, visitors, and the greater community. It is a space aligned with the Nourishing Hope philosophy of promoting the connection between nutrition and well-being. The garden allows anyone to be a part of growing and harvesting fresh, healthy, clean food, get to know each other better, and develop a hands-on hobby. Located near the intersection of Buena Vista St. and Village Road, the garden is completely volunteer-driven. The garden is partially sponsored by the Department of Community Benefit and the City of Hope - Conrad N. Hilton Foundation Partnership.
Vision
The Garden of Hope is an innovative leader in teaching gardens at medical centers.
Mission
Values
Food Justice
- Community-Based Partnerships with Arroyo High School and La Primera Elementary School
- Food Literacy Initiatives
- Food Equity Programs (Produce for Patients)
Environmental Stewardship
- Agroecology-based educational programs to address the climate crisis, and connect people to food and nature.
Knowledge - Programming that honors traditions, cultural practices, and other education forms increases our collective connection to nature.
Well-being - We use food and gardens to foster community health, connections, and strength.
Edible Gardens
Volunteer at the Garden
Employee Wellness Collaboration (Virgin Pulse)
Join a Weed and Water Wednesdays or Grow and Learn event at the Garden of Hope, Duarte campus for a "hands-on" learning experience. See the event schedule to register for upcoming events. At the event, receive a voucher for 350 points redeemable on your Rewards page. Register at join.virginpulse.com/CityofHope. Volunteers must complete a brief garden orientation, sign-in and out and receive a voucher to claim rewards.
Community Outreach Programs
MarketKids
The MarketKids is a free program that teaches kids between the ages of 6-17 the power of nutrition, entrepreneurship, innovation and leadership through experiential learning. The program started in 2019 at Beardslee Elementary School, in the Duarte School District and then expanded to Mountain View School District in El Monte in 2020. The program focuses on the basics of running a farmers’ market, nutrition, and food systems education. Educational activities also promote fresh produce as an alternative to processed food. After two training sessions, students take charge and decide what produce to sell, marketing, customer service, and handling money.
How It Works
City of Hope partners with the school team and provides all the up-front costs (cost of produce, display tubs and training/mentoring). We also create the bridge between the local farmers (Via Food Roots – a local Community Supported Agriculture organization) and the school team so that there is a seamless flow in place that allows for the ordering and delivery of the produce. We will continue to subsidize the produce up to 4 farmer’s markets after which schools should be able to fund and run the markets on their own.
How To Get Started
School partners are a key link between the MarketKids and program participants. These school partners must commit to hosting 4 farmers markets and be capable of overseeing and executing the market with the kids and recruiting an adequate number of volunteers to help with the program. Schools will also be held accountable for the tracking of market sales over time and completing an evaluation that will measure changes in both the staff and student participants. If you think you will be able to commit to the program expectations, please contact Nancy Clifton-Hawkins at nchawkins@coh.org
Learn More about Gardening
- University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources: https://ucanr.edu/Focus_Areas/
- The Farm at the Fairplex: https://fairplex.com/aboutus/farm
- UC Master Food Preserver Program: http://mfp.ucanr.edu/
- Don B. Huntley College of Agriculture: https://www.cpp.edu/~agri/
- Eco Urban Gardens: http://ecourbangardens.org
- Kids Gardening with Liz: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpn2N0uVAC0HDXGTKCDveMg