New Garden is a Community Success

Nancy Carter had an idea for a garden that a foundation grant and 75 volunteers brought to life.

The tomato, watermelon and squash plants flourishing in the new Cloverleaf Apartment garden in Virginia Beach have made Nancy Carter's vision come alive. Only 18 months ago the former Chesapeake retail worker was living in her car after her home was condemned. Then Nancy moved into the new apartments built on South Military Highway by Virginia Supportive Housing to give formerly homeless people a permanent home. Nancy, who lives there with 60 other people, came up with the idea of creating a garden. Click here to see a short video of Nancy talking about the garden.

A $15,680 grant from the Hampton Roads Community Foundation paid for plants, lumber, a well and gardening tools. More than 75 volunteers -- ranging from Cloverleaf residents to Navy personnel -- worked nights and weekends to create the garden. They were led by Andy Friedman, director of the Virginia Beach Department of Housing and Neighborhood Preservation, and his wife Nancy Schaefer, a Master Gardener. Click here to see photos of volunteers creating the garden.

Today the Cloverleaf garden is an amazing site. Not only are its plants bursting with vegetables and flowers, but it is making a difference in the lives of Cloverleaf's 60 residents. They are eating healthier, getting exercise working in the garden, getting to know their neighbors and finding joy in growing plants grow in their own garden plots.

"The garden helped solidify the community atmosphere in the building and instill confidence in the residents who were involved every stop of the way," says Mary Aab, manager of regional support services for Virginia Supportive Housing.

She hopes to see similar gardens spring up at Virginia Supportive Housing's other properties for formerly homeless people, including the Gosnold Apartments in Norfolk and South Bay, which will open later this year in Portsmouth. Since 2006 the Hampton Roads Community Foundation has invested more than $1.4 million in these three new apartment buildings -- all designed to give homes to people who need them the most.

If you are interested in finding out how you can help create gardens contact Mary Aab.