When I left the military, I knew I wanted to return to school. I had previously dropped out of college to join the Marine Corps, but earning my degree had always been a goal. With a passion for environmental science, I began pursuing my associate degree in the field. 

I moved away from my hometown for a fresh start, but living on my own came with unexpected challenges. As a single individual, finding affordable housing was difficult, and the rent increased year after year. When my car broke down, everything unraveled, and I  ended up living in that same car for several months. Eventually, someone at the VA  referred me to HEP, and I entered their Emergency Housing Program in November. 

One day while walking around HEP’s campus, I passed the garden and caught a familiar smell: compost. My college capstone project focused on composting and the science behind it, so when I learned about HEP’s sustainability efforts, I asked my case manager if I  could volunteer. 

In school, I studied the Berkeley Method of composting and vermiculture to create nutrient-rich fertilizer. At the time, HEP used a different approach, but the garden staff welcomed my input. I shared the benefits of the method I had studied, and together we decided to try it. In return, they taught me how to grow and maintain crops in the garden. 

My experience at HEP has been incredibly rewarding. HEP’s commitment to sustainability has inspired me to pursue a career teaching environmental studies and sustainability. I 

also connected with the on-site nutritionist, Gloria, who showed me how food breaks down in the body, and we compared that process to composting. There are incredible things happening at HEP that many people don’t see. It’s certainly not your average homeless shelter.