Gratitude for our Garden from a Youth Center Resident

Hamilton County Juvenile Court (HCJC) has partnered with Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden on a project called, “Grow Together,” transforming part of our outdoor recreation space at the Youth Detention Center into an urban learning garden.

For more than a year, zoo personnel, community volunteers and Youth Center residents have laid soil, planted seeds and starter plants of all kinds, watered, tilled, pruned, and got their hands dirty, to transform a concrete slab into a beautiful, outdoor oasis where seasonal flowers, fruits, herbs and vegetables grow. The garden is maintained by Youth Center residents with continued guidance from zoo staff and volunteers.

An original poem, dedicated to zoo staff and volunteers, written by a resident, includes the lines: “There are people that genuinely care and they are all living proof. They showed me there is no limit to spiritual wealth under a facility roof. Tending to flowers and watching them grow, taught me to tend to my mind and watch it expand, beyond a horizon to what I call a foreign land.” (See the full poem below the article.)

The poem was read at a celebration, organized by Youth Center staff, in October. It was part of the official dedication of the space and included the installation of plaques to commemorate the tremendous gift and impact it is making on residents.

“This is a tremendous opportunity for our kids,” said Brian Bell, director of the Youth Center. “It is our responsibility to rehabilitate children while they are in our care. This partnership allows them to be outdoors, learn new skills, and experience the satisfaction of growing everything from tulips to blackberries to eggplants from scratch.”

“The Cincinnati Zoo is a true community treasure.” said HCJC Administrative Judge Kari Bloom. “On behalf of the entire Court I want to express my most sincere gratitude to the Zoo and the volunteers who made this dream come true. Not only did this project teach the kids life lessons but it created levity for our staff; something that is not always easy to come by in a detention center. I’ve heard many stories about the produce-thieves (the squirrels) and how next year they need a better security system! No matter where the kids, staff and volunteers end up, they will take the memories and experiences with them. Thank you to the Zoo for investing in kids!”