Written by: John DeRousie, Custom Marketing Solutions
Fulton, NY – Participants in the Step By Step Wellness Program have been busy learning how to grow and harvest fresh vegetables as they are helping to care for the Catholic Charities plot in the Fulton Community Garden.
Established through the collaborative efforts of the nutrition Coalition of Oswego County, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Oswego County, and the City of Fulton, the community garden is providing Fulton residents with the opportunity to enjoy fresh vegetables, herbs and flowers right from their own garden.
Offered through Catholic Charities of Oswego County, the Step By Step Wellness Program serves adults diagnosed with a mental illness with a variety of programming to help with their recovery.
Program supervisor, Pam Peeling said, “The program uses a wellness recovery model that supports clients with their recovery, promotes wellness, and combats the stigma of mental illness. The activities and programs that we provide help individuals increase their self-esteem, establish group affiliations, and maintain independence in the community.”
“Participation in the community garden is therapeutic as it empowers participants and provides them with a project that they can take ownership of and receive the satisfaction of growing, harvesting, and enjoying fresh vegetables. They look forward to working in the garden and enjoy their time there as they learn how to tend to the garden,” Peeling added.
The Fulton Community Garden is being sponsored by the Oswego County Nutrition Collaboration, Rural Health Network of Oswego County, Food Bank Of CNY, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Oswego County, Catholic Charities of Oswego County, Oswego County Department of Social Services, city of Fulton – Department of Parks and Recreation, the Fulton Housing Authority, United Way of Greater Oswego County, and the Cancer Services Program of Oswego County.
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