Site information  

The garden is in a locked part of Pine Rest. It is for women in a residential drug treatment program, who are generally referred by the court system, often as alternative to incarceration. It is operated through the Criminal Justice Chaplaincy.

They accept volunteers who would give a solid commitment. Their program operates 1-1/2 hours per week on Wednesday mornings. They are outdoors for 8-9 months, and they spend the winter months indoors.

The garden is 40X75 feet. It has annuals, perennials, herbs, and vegetables. The indoor program includes cuttings, seeds, cooking, aromatherapy, guest speakers, making greeting cards using dried flowers etc. Purpose of program is to promote healing, changes in attitudes, increased self-confidence, improved interpersonal skills, and other skills. About 20-25 women are typically in the program at a given time, about 250 women are involved in the course of a year.

Contact information

Contact Person: Betsy Brown
Email: betsyb150@comcast.net
Phone: (616) 454-4925 or (616) 949-2556 (home)
Address: 207 E. Fulton St.
             Grand Rapids, MI 49503