Community Confidence & Inclusion
In 2016, Dalhousie School of Health Promotion conducted research to measure impact through the lens of the youth parent (s)/ guardians:
- 100% of respondents said they believe having a plot in Hope Blooms garden has increased their ability to provide healthy food for their families.
- 99% felt a greater sense of belonging in their community since participating in the Hope Blooms garden and programs.
- 92% indicated that their level of community involvement has improved since joining the garden.
- We now have 375 youth (in-person and virtual), more than 100 families, and seniors from diverse ethnicities across the province (including 20 newcomer families from Syria) that volunteer, and grow food, relationships, and community.
- We share our commercial kitchen, free of charge, with a group of Syrian newcomers, who have started selling their baked goods weekly at the Farmers Seaport Market. Our youth leaders have mentored them in social entrepreneurship and customer engagement skills.