Center for Healthy Communities garden cultivates fresh produce, connection and healing

By Michelle Ryan-Day
[email protected]

The USA Health Center for Healthy Communities (CHC) garden is growing more than fresh produce. The therapeutic space is cultivating connection, healing, and community partnerships across Mobile.

Established in December 2025 with a $10,000 grant from the Junior League of Mobile and support from Mobile Urban Growers, the garden was created with a vision of fostering “a culture of togetherness within a safe therapeutic space,” said Lynette Parker, MA, research manager at the Center for Healthy Communities.

Since its first planting and harvest, the garden has provided organically grown produce to individuals and families facing difficult circumstances, including patients recovering from gunshot wounds and justice-impacted youth involved in USA Health programs. In total, seven produce boxes have been distributed to CHC program participants.

In March and early April alone, the garden supplied 18 bunches of collard greens, 19 heads of lettuce and 64 radishes to participants in the HALO program, USA Health’s hospital-based violence intervention program; Building Safer Communities Collaborative; and Project Inspire, a multi-week, hospital-based injury prevention program for youth that combines trauma center exposure, mentorship and career development.  

USA Health employees and community partners at Truevine Missionary Baptist Church and Dumas Wesley Community Center's transitional housing program, Sybil Smith Family Village, have also received produce.

The garden also serves as a hands-on learning and therapeutic space for youth participating in the Building Safer Communities Collaborative program, a six-month, public-health–focused prevention program serving justice-impacted youth ages 12 to 18 and their families in Mobile County, with opportunities for community service and involvement in construction and maintenance. A participant from the program helped build several of the garden beds. In addition, the garden is being used as a setting for art therapy sessions for justice-impacted youth.

Recently, Truevine Pastor Rev. Sandy McQueen and his daughter visited the garden and collected collard greens, lettuce, and radishes to share with seniors in his congregation. The church was the first community partner to distribute produce, using collards for a community event and sharing fresh lettuce and radishes with church members.

Mobile Urban Growers provided early technical support, including the donation of three garden beds, initial collard green plantings, ongoing coaching, and spring plants. The organization’s assistance helped establish the foundation for the garden’s continued growth.

The garden was established through the collaborative efforts of strong community partners, and Parker said the center envisions paying that impact forward.  

“First, we want to be able to provide produce to at least three organizations that can help distribute to community members facing food insecurity. Second, we want to provide volunteer opportunities to community members and USA Health employees to contribute to the garden,” Parker said. “Thirdly, we want the garden to provide a therapeutic space for gatherings, outreach activities, and other meetings. We see the garden as a place of connection and community building.”

The garden is currently maintained primarily by CHC staff with assistance from participants in the Building Safe Communities Collaborative. While produce distribution has focused on CHC program participants to date, future efforts aim to broaden access to employees, community members, and partner organizations.

As the spring planting season continues, CHC staff say they hope to increase both yield and outreach, strengthening the garden’s role as a community hub for wellness and engagement.

For inquiries about produce availability, volunteer opportunities, or hosting events in the garden, contact [email protected].