I love any chance I get to photograph people and their fabulous lives but every now and then I get to be apart of something that really connects me to my community and is part of something “bigger”. Last weekend I had the pleasure of photographing the Transitional Resources annual Garden Party in my new neighborhood, West Seattle. This non-profit organization helps adults in our community who are living with severe mental illnesses by providing housing, residential treatment, hospital diversion, case management, psychiatric and vocational services. In their words:
Transitional Resources helps adults living with the most serious and persistent forms of mental illness by providing respectful and optimistic recovery-oriented services, affordable housing, and advocacy against discrimination which works to break the cycle of incarceration, hospitalization and homelessness.
We value the same things that those with mental illness do:
• decent housing;
• feeling needed and wanted;
• being a part of a community;
• working and engaging in meaningful, age-appropriate activities; and
• having hope for a highly personalized form of recovery.
One of the ways TR executes their mission is through their certified organic garden which is the smallest one here in Washington state. The garden serves as more than just a beautiful, tranquil space for their clients and staff to enjoy; it’s also an educational and vocational training ground for their clients living with mental illnesses. And, as if that weren’t enough, they even donate the produce harvested from the garden to the local West Seattle Food Bank. A.Ma.Zing.
The Garden Party, in it’s sixth year, invites community supporters to take a tour of the grounds and help get the garden ready for growing season. This years party couldn’t have landed on a better date. The sun shined brightly all day long in one of nicest days we’ve had in awhile. Planter boxes were filled with colorful flowers, fresh wood chips were laid for walking paths and the weeds didn’t stand a chance.
The big finale of the event was a cooking demonstration by Chef Jennifer Meyer of Cafe Revo, a local Italian restaurant. Jennifer picked fresh onions from the garden and prepared deliciously mouth watering bruschetta for everyone to sample. I made sure to grab a recipe card and can’t wait to make some this weekend!
I feel so lucky to live in a community that is supportive and inclusive of values I find of utmost importance. It’s more than caring for our sick and struggling. Their commitment to pesticide free gardening, whole food education, and growing meaningful relationships is no small effort. I wish I could share more of the pictures from this special day but I’m sure you can understand the privacy issues involved. If you’d like to learn more about Transitional Resources, the many services they offer and how you can help, check them out here: http://www.transitionalresources.org/.
Have a wonderful weekend!!
show hide 4 comments