About Us
The New Beginnings Gardens was established by the Linn County Juvenile Department to provide youth in the Linn-Benton Juvenile Detention Center, and other youth being supervised by the Department, some experiential learning opportunities. Youth learn critical job skills and gain knowledge about native and decorative plants while working with our horticulturalist. This program is part of the Ponderosa Creek school program facilitated by the Multnomah Education Service District (MESD) offered each weekday to youth at the detention center as a way to engage in “hands on” learning. Ponderosa Creek is an accredited high school and is funded through the Oregon Department of Education(ODE) providing the educational funding to all 11 Juvenile Detention Education Programs (JDEP) in the state of Oregon.
Youth learn various procedures and topics related to gardening including good work habits and responsibilities, plant care, soil composition, the importance of plant diversification, native and invasive species of plants, green house management, planting and propagation, and harvest and food preparation. This learning process helps to re-engage youth in the educational learning process and provides them with increased confidence in their ability to learn in a public school setting.
Our native plants are used in many local projects for restoration along streams and rivers, often being planted by our work services program staff and youth. Projects have included Talking Waters Garden, Periwinkle Creek, the North Santiam River, burned areas in the Santiam Canyon area, and Linn County Parks to name just a few spots where you can see our native plants flourish. This only happens through strong partnerships and supports.
We want to thank the Oregon Youth Authority (Oak Creek Youth Correctional Facility), Multnomah Education Service District, and the Oregon Department of Education for ongoing support. We thank the Bureau of Land Management, the Institute of Applied Ecology, and Bird Haven for sharing their knowledge and field experience with our youth. We thank the Calapooia Watershed Council, Ocean Blue, Talking Waters Garden and the City of Albany for their support by purchasing our native plants. Finally, a Special thanks to those that helped to get this project started in December of 2013, Coastal Farm and Ranch Supply, and the Native Grounds Nursery.
We believe just like our plants, when youth receive the right structure and supports, they too can grow into productive community members we all can be proud of.