Healing, meditation found in creating community garden in Saint John neighbourhood

A small group of women living in a supportive-housing complex have created a garden in Saint John's north end as a form of therapy and to give the area a space for the community.

Once a dull colourless landscape composed of weeds and overgrown vegetation, the Elizabeth Fry New Brunswick MyPlace apartment complex is now lined with flower boxes, and the fences are decorated with paintings, all built, planted and painted by the residents. 

Kate Blewett, a mental-health co-ordinator with the non profit, which supports women who have struggled with housing and have been involved with the justice system, says the garden project resonated with residents.

She says it demonstrates that organizations working with vulnerable people should go beyond meeting basic needs and the importance of providing space for creativity.

"People also need to thrive," Blewett said. "And I think by having this space we've provided a creative outlet and a space to work together that allows people to show how they thrive and to remind them of what they're passionate about and what they care about."

The garden is a labour of love for residents like Jennifer Howe. Having moved into the housing complex only this summer, Howe describes a recent past fraught with hardship, where she struggled with addiction and unstable housing. She finds gardening takes her out of her own head.

"So you're not worried about money, worried about, 'where do I go next?' Like you're just kind of watching nature unfold in front of you. Sometimes when I come outside I just kind of stare at the garden," she said.

"Creativity is a part of our core — it's part of spirituality. And when you're embracing creativity, you're living your authentic self."

While Howe has only lived in the complex a short time, the garden has been developed by the residents of the building for the past two years. 

"I wanted to get back into gardening, and actually doing this has inspired me," Howe said. "And now I have 35 plants on my own in my apartment" she said.

Blewett said the project it has instilled a sense of pride in the residents.

"The space that we had previously wasn't very bright, it wasn't very colourful and we wanted to have a space that was more inviting for people and really felt like home." she said. 

"I think the pride of it is so beautiful from beginning to now, it's taken an uglier space and made it something amazing.

Resident Morgan Porter, who moved into the Elizabeth Fry housing complex after being incarcerated, says she was excited at the chance to take part. Gardening was a long time hobby of hers that she hadn't been able to do for years.