This semester, interns from across Los Angeles County gathered at Century Villages to revive the community gardens and gardening programs that went on hiatus due to COVID-19. The Century Village community is host to several gardens, including David’s Garden, the Magic Garden, and the Urban Forest. Nestled between buildings 9 and 10 is one of the smallest community gardens at CVC.

Undergraduate CSUDH Human Services interns Sophy Sam and Alyssa Ruiz and graduate CSUDH Master of Social Work intern Emile Kanhai sought to transform the overgrown space into a functioning garden.

“I was surprised how relaxing the experience was,” Sophy noted, reflecting on the experience. “I had never gardened before and didn’t know what to expect.
Being in the space and working in the dirt was a calming experience.”

“It was rewarding watching the plants take root and the space transform week after week,” Alyssa added.

However, all three interns found that the most enriching part of the experience was working hand in glove with residents.

“At first, residents were hesitant to join us,” Emile said. “But after seeing us in the space every week, people started to come out and participate.”

Studies have found that gardening isn’t just a helpful hobby, there are lasting mental and physical health benefits.

Research has found that gardening

• boosts one’s mood,
• reduces stress,
• improves memory,
• helps fight diseases,
• builds strength,
• and helps with addiction recovery.

In addition to all of those health benefits, Emile, Sophy, and Alyssa learned that gardening can foster human connection and empower communities. As COVID-19 guidelines change at Century Villages at Cabrillo and across the state, these three interns are hopeful that more residents will have the opportunity to come out and spend time in the community gardens. For residents that are ready and interested, please contact your case manager to learn ways that you can get started gardening today.

Gardening Indoors

The mental and physical health benefits of gardening aren’t reserved to gardening outdoors. Studies have found that growing plants indoors also contains many of the same benefits. Additional research has shown that indoor gardening can help people to make healthier eating choices.

“[Gardening indoors] is easier, and seeing my plants everyday helps me feel better and improves my overall mood,” one resident shared.

For residents who are interested in starting their own indoor gardening projects, The City of Long Beach has compiled resources to help them get them started:

http://www.longbeach.gov/sustainability/nature-initiatives/garden-resources/