Gillis Center is a healing place for at-risk children and families, providing education, counseling, social service, residence and emergency shelter. The children who live there, the boys and girls who attend their school-based day treatment, and the troubled families who go to heal; all have a story. Some stories are horrific and traumatic, some sad, some infuriating but almost all of them have the same ending: Hurting people made whole again at Gillis.

Gillis needs volunteers to help in their “Gillis Growth Grove” (urban farm). They have 11 vegetable beds and 26 fruit trees. They are preparing for the city-wide Urban Farms Tour June 27th-28th, although they need assistance until November. We could be weeding, planting, mowing, building a pathway, garden maintenance, etc. We will be working side by side with the young men and boys that live at Gillis; bonding, sharing, listening, teaching, becoming a friend.

Age Requirement: This event is good for adults and teens. No small children please.

Dress: Appropriate gardening attire dress is required, specifically modest clothing (no short shorts, or yoga/tight pants, no low cut or halter tops, no body hugging clothes. This is in consideration of teen boys).  You may want to bring your own gardening gloves.

Gillis will supply all tools. Please bring your own snacks and drinks. Leave cell phones in your car or on your person.

All volunteers are required to sign a waiver each time (which includes a confidentiality/privacy agreement).