Pathway 2 Partnerships

The Laurel Garden Club (LGC) is partnering with the Laurel Housing Authority (LHA) to expand and enhance their community gardening projects to better serve children, elderly residents, and those interested in learning new skills. Through the support of the Common Ground Collaborative grant, they will continue fostering relationships with the 1,000 lower socio-economic residents living in LHA's housing units through their Pathway 2 Partnerships program.

LHA provides affordable housing across five sites to 1,000 tenants, with average household income of $16,941 and 37% of residents receiving SSI Disability. Other partners include Mississippi State University Extension Service (providing educational resources), TREES MS Assistance Program (donating native trees), and the City of Laurel Tree Board.

The partnership began in spring 2024 through "park bench conversations" between LGC members and LHA Executive Director Ailrick Young. A 35' x 28' raised bed garden was built at one residential site, with quarterly workshops teaching residents of all ages about growing food and healthy food choices. Handicap accessible raised beds were later installed at two additional sites. Within weeks, over 100 bags of fresh vegetables were delivered to residents and local soup kitchens.

In the summer of 2025, LGC launched a week-long "Gardening for Pollinators and People" camp for children ages 8-11, teaching the importance of pollinators in preserving our food supply. Campers planted pollinator gardens and received garden totes filled with tools, journals, and seeds.

CGC grant funds will support ongoing garden workshops, summer camp expansion, and development of a Senior Garden Therapy Class at the Arco Lane site for elderly residents. Year three plans include designing a Children's Garden at the Brown Circle site, where 83% of LHA's children live