| Home | Our Stores | About Us | Member Area | The Shuttle |
559 Carpenter Lane
Philadelphia, PA 19119
215-843-2350
8424 Germantown Ave.
Philadelphia, PA 19118
215-843-2350
2129 72nd Ave.
Philadelphia, PA 19138
215-276-0706
|
| Hope Farm at Stenton Family Manor To see more pictures and an Illustrated time line, click HERE  In February 2009, Weavers Way Community Programs (WWCP) expanded their farm education program and created a 1/3-acre community garden project at Mt. Airy Stenton Family Manor, a homeless shelter for families. This collaboration started in 2008 when we donated farm produce for use by kitchen staff. Residents and community volunteers assist WWCP staff in growing food for shelter meal preparation and for sale at local farmers markets. In 2009, fifty-five campers from the on-site Stenton summer camp participated in farm education and farming activities each week as part of their summer camp curriculum.  The campers named the garden, The Hope Garden, Growing in Philadelphia. Camp ended with a harvest celebration featuring artwork and a dance performance by the children, dishes created from the garden produce, and the opportunity to show off the garden to friends and colleagues. The goals of the Stenton Family Manor Garden are to: 1. Create an organic (not certified) urban farm at Stenton Family Manor 2. Teach small-scale urban farming technique and process to interested residents  3. Use farm produce to provide fresh, healthful food for on-site meals preparation 4. Sell farm produce at area farm stands, providing area residents access to healthy and affordable locally grown vegetables and providing WWCP with additional funds to defray program costs. 5. Teach business aspects of selling produce at the farm stand, including customer service, pricing, advertising, and use of products sold. The 2009 crop selection included cabbage, kale, collards, broccoli, radishes, cauliflower, mesclun, .gif) arugula, dill, spinach, lettuce, salad mix, turnips, mustard greens, bok choy, cucumbers, eggplants, tomatoes, squash, zucchini, watermelon, corn, potatoes, peppers, flowers, beans, tomatillos, basil, lettuce, and parsley. Many Thanks to the following organizations for helping make the Hope Garden possible: Children Can Shape the Future, Supporting Community Education in Camden and Philadelphia Lawrence J. and Anne Rubenstein  Charitable Foundation, Weavers Way Environment Committee The Coleman Foundation The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society • Expand the garden alongside the blacktop – U-shaped plot design • Build a Greenhouse on the blacktop – Season Extension – fresh greens year round! • Year-round Educational Experience • Build Raised Beds to increase  accessibility for Seniors and less- physically able residents • More seating – a space to hang out • Explore composting with kitchen staff to reduce trash costs, create on-site compost for crops, and as an additional education component for youth • Continue / Expand Cooking Demonstrations • Continue Fundraising / Goal for Economic Sustainability • Please make checks payable to Weavers Way Community Programs. • Checks can be sent to:  Weavers Way Community Programs 559 Carpenter Lane Philadelphia, PA 19119 WWCP has 501(c)(3) status as a member of Mt. Airy Community Services Corporation. Donations to WWCP are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law Stenton Family Manor is a handicap-accessible, homeless shelter exclusively for families in transition operated by Mt. Airy Bethesda, Inc., a 501 (c) (3) non- profit organization established in  July 1991 by Bishop Ernest C. Morris, Chief Executive Officer and Founder. Founded over fifteen years ago as a place in which homeless families could find shelter, security and the promise of a future, Mt. Airy Bethesda, Inc./ Stenton Family Manor (SFM) offers temporary housing on the condition that its inhabitants actively seek independent living and self-sufficiency. Over the years of its existence, SFM has improved and increased its services to homeless families through a network of community collaborations and partnerships that have broadened opportunities for residents to build foundations for independent living. |
|
