Growing Hope growing roots in Ypsi

Growing Hope is an Ypsilanti-based nonprofit that promotes dirty hands. Ok, not really. But they don't mind if you do. What they really promote is community gardening and education, and they finally have a home on Michigan Avenue, west of downtown Ypsi.

They operate the Downtown Farmers Market and help members design and maintain gardens. Twenty-five gardens are now supported by Growing Hope in Washtenaw County.

Excerpt:

Edmonds said being in an area that hasn't experienced a lot of re-development attention is exciting for her organization. It's part of the "asset-based community development'' that is a mission for Growing Hope, she said.

The idea is to focus on available assets in a community and use them to help that community reach its full potential. Being closely associated with public housing residents is a great way to do that, Edmonds said. She also noted she's excited that neighbors have already been dropping to by to ask questions and, in some cases, ask for jobs.

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