Riverside Revitalizes Somerville’s Community Garden and Cultivates Community Roots

The Riverside Caregivers SOAR Team and Kim Martin, Assistant Vice President of the Child & Family Services division, recently spearheaded a successful community-building event at 117 Summer Street in Somerville. Employees and participants from various Riverside programs and services bonded as they worked to revitalize Riverside’s plots at the Avon Street Community Garden located adjacent to Riverside’s Scott M. Bock building.

Staff collaborated with people served from Riverside’s Outpatient Center, Community Service Agency, Caregivers SOAR, and Life Skills programs to transform the garden. Everyone worked together dismantling old, raised beds and building six new ones, which were then filled and prepared for planting. The Green Team, a summer teen employment and leadership program through Groundwork Somerville, provided valuable guidance, offering workshops on gardening techniques and assisting with planting fall vegetables and edible flowers.

Community involvement extended beyond Riverside, with local garden members making significant contributions. One member assembled a new bench and shed donated by the Caregivers SOAR team, while another planted and labeled native pollinators, creating an educational feature for garden visitors. These exciting new additions will enhance Riverside’s therapeutic gardening groups and teach youth the importance of supporting native birds, bees, and other wildlife.

The garden’s transformation goes beyond physical improvements. It now serves as a unique venue for therapeutic and educational engagement, reflecting Riverside’s commitment to community well-being. During the event, Riverside took a moment to honor to Dianne McLaughlin, an avid gardener and long-time Family Partner at the Community Service Agency who passed away in 2021. A special plaque was dedicated to Dianne and ensures that her passion for nurturing both plants and people continues to inspire visitors to the garden.

Gardening has been shown to nurture mental health, foster mindfulness, and promote self-care. Following the event, a Green Team member remarked, “It is abundantly clear how much you [Riverside] care about your staff and community members, and we hope the garden will nurture folks and food for many years to come. We look forward to continuing this partnership!”

This project not only beautified the area but also strengthened Riverside’s connection with the community. The garden’s continued development is eagerly anticipated and will mirror the growth of the people Riverside serves and the Summer Street neighborhood.

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