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We help foster faith-based stewardship in the community for the spiritual, educational and charitable needs of all. Gardens are for growing – especially in the partnership between Grafton Correctional Institute and Catholic Charities. In 2020, Grafton staff members and several incarcerated men proposed expanding the relationship with a vegetable garden to grow produce for Catholic Charities shelters and food pantries. It has transformed the hearts and minds of men in this state prison who volunteer to tend the garden.
David finds working in the garden is not only a peaceful respite but gives him a sense of purpose. “I’m more than what I’m in here for. I have the potential to do good things and so do the other men here. It’s not about us, it’s about giving back to the community.”
For Antoine, the garden cultivates leadership skills. “My mother always told me to be a great leader, you must learn to follow and to serve. We do both in the garden. And getting up every day for a hard day’s work prepares you to go back to society.”
Overseeing the garden and supervising fellow inmates, Richard sees men growing in communication skills, compassion and empathy. “Every man in here has the desire to give back or serve a cause bigger than himself.”
The highlight is harvest time, with the first year’s yield of 1,300 pounds of vegetables. By 2023, they harvested 14,500 pounds – from squash and zucchini to tomatoes, corn and more.
“Our work in the garden is literally feeding thousands of people. I’m serving a long prison term, but I’m filled with gratitude. You can’t begin to imagine the possibilities for transformation.”