A community garden at St. Valentine Apartments is helping residents cultivate confidence, trust and connection.
Before the garden produced its first vegetables, it produced something just as meaningful: evidence that residents could rely on one another.
This summer, residents at St. Valentine Apartments began planting and tending individual garden plots. When one gardener spent time away, neighbors watered and cared for the plot. The resident returned and found their plants alive and thriving.
Trust was beginning to take root among residents.
That trust holds special meaning at St. Valentine, a 54-home permanent supportive housing community that Catholic Charities Housing created in Loveland. Long-term housing and on-site support provide stable ground for people who have experienced chronic homelessness to rebuild relationships, routines and a sense of belonging.
As a peer navigator, Annie draws on her own lived experience to support residents. She knows that meaningful growth cannot be rushed.
During her early recovery, Annie discovered gardening. What began as something to do with her time gradually became transformative.
“It taught me that I was capable of being reliable, of committing to something and following through,” Annie said. “It gave me an opportunity to build some self-confidence back.”
Gardening helped Annie rebuild reliability and confidence — growth she eventually wanted to plant in her community. She started the St. Valentine garden to give residents a tangible way to experience success, practice commitment and connect with one another.
Community partners helped Annie prepare the soil. Home Depot donated 30 bags of garden soil, Lowe’s provided hosing and members of Annie’s community garden in Longmont contributed tools, gloves and shovels.
Then residents took ownership.
Many planted vegetables from seed and patiently watched for the first signs of green. One resident proudly shared how great their homegrown spinach tasted, while others traded gardening tips and celebrated new growth together.
With every new sprout, residents saw the results of their patience and care. With every shared watering, they saw how neighbors could support one another.
“Once you start to feel connection with other people again, and that feels good, you want more of that,” Annie said.
Annie’s original vision included raised beds, a shared herb garden and accessible standing garden boxes. For now, she is learning to take “baby steps” and give the garden — and the relationships residents are building around it — time to develop.
At St. Valentine, supporting a neighbor can be as simple as watering their garden while they are away. That small act helps transform a life by reminding a resident: I can nurture something. Others can count on me. I belong here.
Annie once discovered those truths in her own garden. Now, she is helping them grow in others.