MarinHEAL Grantees

Located in the Canal District of San Rafael, Alcohol Justice runs a number of programs aimed to prevent the use of Alcohol and other harmful substances that are targeted to minority and low-income communities. Using a harm reduction approach to substance use, Alcohol Justices’ youth advocacy program has interwoven wellness, nutrition, and gardening into their programming.

After conducting an extensive community engagement process that identified community gardens as a solution to local food insecurity, Alcohol Justice worked to create an Urban demonstration garden at their office space installing 12 garden beds in the parking lot and upstairs patio rooftop.

Produce grown in the garden was regularly incorporated into food demonstrations for nutrition lessons in Alcohol Justice’s recently renovated community kitchen. Each week, youth would rotate between the kitchen, classroom, and garden space to participate in the various activities coordinated by the staff. The incorporation of garden-centered curriculum into the existing programming allowed students to broaden their knowledge around health and wellness.

A cohort of High School and middle-aged students regularly tended to the garden beds, receiving lessons on everything from soil health to human nutrition. Youth who regularly stewarded the garden plots were awarded stipends for their commitment to the growing season. Approximately 6 stewards  regularly tended the gardens and participated in ongoing programming.

In addition to serving youth enrolled in after school programming, Alcohol Justice hosted two community wellness events for the public. These events served as community engagement opportunities where community members, neighbors, and families could learn about the full programming offered by Alcohol Justice – including an invitation to participate in the garden. Led by Alcohol Justice staff and supported by youth health ambassadors, 200 participants were in attendance. Between these two events, 14 pounds of locally grown organic produce from the garden was distributed to the community. Vegetable starts were also available for community to grow their own crops in their home garden spaces.

Expanding partnerships and relationships with nearby gardens is a priority for Alcohol Justice as they tend to their newly established garden.  The garden space will continue to serve as a demonstration garden where topics centered around well-being, community care, and a sense of belonging can be explored.