The May Institute's Children's Services has supported a community garden on City property at the north end of the Veterans' Memorial Auditorium over the summer of 2013. Mentor John Kennedy and Social Worker Liz Taiwo work with the youth who sometimes donate some of their produce to the cooking group that runs on Tuesdays in the Clinic. "This is a terrific way to help kids gain some pride in their efforts and boost their self-esteem," noted John. Older youth helped to get the garden ready for planting and the younger clients planted seeds and tended the plants. "They get a tremendous sense of satisfaction when they see their efforts result in abundant and delicious food that they can take home to eat or, even better, to donate to others," added Social Worker Liz Taiwo. Click here for a five-minute video and here for photos of a Hyland Clinic cooking group. For more information about the project or the cooking group, contact program director Janet Shartle at 508-678-0049.

(Top row, left and center) Eleven-year-old Lukas and nine-year-old Cliften look over the plants that they have been raising over the summer at the community garden. (Top row, right) Mentor John Kennedy talks about the garden with the Hyland Clinic office behind him across the parking lot between Pine and Elm Streets. (Middle row, left) Social Worker Liz Taiwo works on the garden with the young people. (Middle row, right) Michael talks with pride about the work he did to spade the garden in the spring to get it ready for planting. (Bottom row, left and right) Cliften waters the plants from a rain barrel on the property while John and Lukas look for produce that's ready to pick.