Laurel Lake's Project "CHANGE" helps seniors grow their own fresh produce
200 Laurel Lake Drive / Hudson, Ohio 44236 / (330) 650-2100 / www.laurellake.org
Laurel Lake brings "CHANGE" that low income seniors
can believe in -- and serve for dinner
Project CHANGE helps Cuyahoga Falls residents grow their own fresh produce
June 22, 2009 -- Today, the Obama administration launched "United We Serve" ( www.serve.gov ), a campaign running throughout the summer from June 22 through September 11. The campaign includes a call for community gardens, improving access to nutrient-rich fresh produce that may otherwise be unavailable to low-income families and individuals.
For the 185 residents who live at R.C. Sutliff I, a subsidized housing facility in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, a community gardening project started months ago is already yielding a plentiful harvest, thanks to Project "CHANGE" (Cultivating Health and Nutrition through Gardening Education).
The project is an offshoot of Personal Health Partners (PHP) program, a collaborative effort of Laurel Lake Retirement Community in Hudson, the Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority (AMHA) and Catholic Healthcare Partners.
PHP provides low-income elderly with education, health care services and support necessary to maintain good health, remain independent and continue as contributing members of their community. These individuals face significant challenges in accessing good nutrition, including grocery expenses, lack of transportation, and information on how to prepare inexpensive healthy meals. As a result, obesity and malnutrition are frequent problems.
The "Project CHANGE" community garden is helping Sutliff I residents embrace good nutritional practices within the constraints of a limited budget. The project has given residents the tools and information they need to successfully cultivate their own vegetable garden, and prepare nutritious recipes using produce they grow themselves.
A grant from the Summit County Master Gardeners purchased tools, materials to amend the soil of garden sites, and professional expertise. The funds are also being used to teach residents to prepare and test simple nutritious recipes using the produce from their gardens.
A crew of Hudson High School Freshman, members of English teacher Ann Kohner's class, provided "muscle" for the project, weeding and mixing peat moss and top soil into the newly tilled 10x30 garden plot. The students are now familiar faces at Sutlif I, having helped with annual spring cleaning at the apartment complex.
For more information about Project CHANGE and the Personal Health Partner Project, please contact Stacy Hall, RN at 330-352-2250 or email: Stacy_Hall@hmis.org.
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Laurel Lake Retirement Community
is a not-for-profit continuing care retirement community offering multiple home styles set within 150 acres of natural beauty in Hudson. Laurel Lake is part of the Catholic Healthcare Partners family of senior living communities and healthcare facilities. For information, visit www.laurellake.org or call 1-866-650-2100.