WLA VA Therapeutic Garden Days

QUICK OVERVIEW
We will be offering ongoing garden workdays with opportunities to weed, water, mulch, plant, and beautify the land while teaching our Veterans valuable skills related to food production and preparation.
 
MISSION
The WLA VA Therapeutic Garden Program is dedicated to the physical, social, and spiritual health of our Veterans. We welcome your participation in the WLA VA garden, working alongside our Veterans to bring our beautiful 11-acre property back to its restorative oasis.  Our garden work will empower our Veterans to focus on the importance of nutrition in their everyday lives in reducing chronic illness and obesity, focusing on health and wellbeing, creating community, building relationships, developing leadership potential, teaching independence and autonomy, and enhancing self-esteem. 
 
IMPACT
The WLA VA Therapeutic Gardening Program was developed to improve the physical, social and spiritual health of our Veterans. Inviting our Veterans to participate in meaningful outdoor garden activities proposes to strengthen and enhance their cognitive performance, heighten their awareness of self-care, wellbeing, and exercise, and teach gardening skills related to fruit/vegetable production and preparation.  Veterans will learn garden maintenance, planting techniques and propagation, sustainability, environmental stewardship, collaborative community engagement and socialization, independent self-advocacy skills, enhanced self-esteem, and leadership opportunities.
 
Growing and preparing organic fruits and vegetables is a fundamental part of empowering our Veterans to focus on the importance of nutrition in their everyday lives in reducing chronic illness and obesity, as well as learning to focus on their mental health and wellbeing. Additionally, the garden will provide a therapeutic space for veterans to participate in ongoing educational programming, exercise, collaborate and socialize, provide meaningful service opportunities, build community connections and relationships with others, and create a pathway for social change.
 
VOLUNTEER ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
We are looking for enthusiastic volunteers with all levels of gardening experience. Volunteers will assist with weeding, watering, laying mulch, and clearing/raking land that has been abandoned, restoring the garden to its potential, and preparing the soil of 20 raised beds and readying them for organic planting of fruits/vegetables.  We look forward to ongoing maintenance projects that will beautify and enhance the parklike setting, creating areas of blooming flowers and sensory gardens with color to attract pollinators, and restorative areas with shade and spaces to relax, congregate and meditate. We will also enjoy harvesting the fruits of our labor together.  
 
REQUIREMENTS

• Proof of Covid vaccination is required before participation in garden activities.
• L.A. Works signed waiver if under the age of 18 years old.
• Ability to participate in light gardening tasks (weeding/watering/planting); tools/gloves provided.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
We recommend wearing sunscreen, a hat, and protective clothing in layers.  Water and light snacks will be provided, along with gardening gloves and tools.  If you bring your gardening tools, please label them with your name.  

ACCESSIBILITY
ADA accessibility, no stairs, wide pathways, bathroom facilities, and adjacent parking on the property.
 
All volunteers participating in this volunteer opportunity should adhere to the health and safety guidelines outlined here: https://www.laworks.com/health-and-safety.
 

By clicking “Sign Up,” I acknowledge that I am aware and understand that I am signing up for Activities that may be inherently dangerous and may expose me to a variety of foreseen and unforeseen hazards and risks including exposure to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (“COVID-19”).  The Activities may involve a degree of contact with clients who need assistance and other volunteers who may be carriers of COVID-19 and that personal protective equipment may not be available for my use and/or effective in preventing transmission of COVID-19 whether as a result of my actions or otherwise.   

By clicking “Sign Up,” I acknowledge that I am voluntarily participating in the Activities and have considered those risks. I hereby expressly and specifically assume such risks, including any risk of injury, illness, harm, or loss that I may incur as a result of my participation in the Activities. I hereby fully and forever release and discharge L.A. Works from, and expressly waive any liability claims, and demands of whatever kind or nature, either in law or in equity, that may arise from my participation in the Activities.