USA Health Center for Healthy Communities garden officially opens
Since its early harvests, fresh vegetables have supported individuals and families facing difficult circumstances, including participants in USA Health’s HALO program, hospital-based violence intervention efforts, and other community outreach initiatives.
By Michelle Ryan-Day
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The USA Health Center for Healthy Communities officially opened its new community garden on Thursday, May 21, in Mobile, celebrating a space designed to support wellness, connection, and healing through fresh produce and shared green space.
Located at 211 N. Catherine Street, the garden was established in December 2025 through a $10,000 grant from the Junior League of Mobile, with support and early guidance from Mobile Urban Growers, helping transform an emerging idea into a thriving community resource.
Since its initial planting, the garden has grown into a vibrant space featuring 10 raised beds filled with seasonal vegetables, herbs, and flowers. The beds now include squash, cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers, okra, beans, corn, herbs, and sunflowers.
Beyond the harvest, Lynette Parker, research manager for the Center for Healthy Communities who also spearheaded the project, emphasized that the garden was always intended to serve a deeper mission.
“We want to be able to provide food to those who can use a little extra produce, but we also want to make sure that we build relationships and we connect people,” she said. “Because when we talk about wellness, relational connectedness is a big part of that.”
That focus on connection has already been reflected in how the garden’s produce has been shared across the community. Since its early harvests, fresh vegetables have supported individuals and families facing difficult circumstances, including participants in USA Health’s HALO program, hospital-based violence intervention efforts, and other community outreach initiatives. Produce has also been shared with residents at Sybil Smith Family Village and seniors connected with local faith-based outreach programs.
Community partners played a key role in making the space possible. Mobile Urban Growers contributed garden beds, early plantings, and ongoing coaching and technical support.
“This certainly would not be possible without Lynette,” said Ashley Williams Hogue, M.D., director of the Center for Healthy Communities, during the opening celebration. “She has two green thumbs. I can't grow anything. I've never grown anything in my life, so I'm super appreciative to have a team that knows how to do this.”
Looking ahead, the garden is expected to continue expanding its role as a hub for engagement, offering opportunities for volunteerism, education, and therapeutic activities alongside its ongoing food production.
