Reflections from Jean Niravong, volunteer at The Stop.

 

 

Volunteering as a Garden Assistant with The Stop’s Green Barn Dig-In program has enriched my life and provided opportunities for growth and connection. When I arrived at The Stop eight months ago, I was going through a challenging time in my life dealing with grief and a personal crisis. Working alongside staff and participants in the garden helped me heal. The experiences we shared had a positive impact on me and revealed lessons that I could apply in my own life. I would like to share a few of these learnings with you here.

 

The first few weeks of garden tasks in the spring involved a lot of weeding. For me, it was puzzling trying to distinguish between a weed and a plant. Thankfully, one of the program participants, a seasoned weed expert, helped us identify what should stay and what should be removed. She also introduced us to the invasive garlic mustard that was taking over the garden, which we learned could be transformed into delicious pesto. Then there was the invasive Creeping Bellflower—humorously renamed “Creeping Hellflower,” which I always thought was Foxglove, and had unknowingly planted it in my friend’s flower bed. My first lesson emerged: just as a weed is a wild plant competing with cultivated ones, there are “weeds” in life that no longer serve me. I need to plant healthy, positive thoughts in my life.

 

Another lesson occurred to me when the young son of a participant joined us in the garden, enthusiastically picking red, ripe, juicy raspberries from the canes and placing them into a gleaming, silver bowl. I saw his sparkling eyes fill with wonder and pride at his harvest, and in that little moment, I recognized the importance of nurturing young minds about local food and harvesting. Seeing the smile on his face was a heartwarming reminder of the impact we have on the next generation.

 

My last story involves unexpected guests found in a compost bin at The Stop’s Green Barn: Red wiggler worms, the superheroes of worms. These worms convert organic waste to “black gold”, nutrient-dense soil that works wonders to nurture our growing plants. One day, we uncovered a huge mass of red wigglers climbing the wall of the composting bin. The participants shrieked with excitement trying to figure out where they had come from. One of The Stop’s staff members was brave enough to pick them off one by one while admiring their resilience living in the compost bin for weeks. The unexpected red wigglers taught us that life is full of delightful surprises, and to appreciate their magical gifts. 

 

It was through these lessons that I learned that the power of volunteering isn’t in the tasks we perform; it’s in the stories we create and the connections we forge. These experiences continue to inspire me and remind me of the profound impact that a garden, a community, and a compassionate heart can have on the world. The Stop’s Green Barn is that magical place where seeds of hope and love are planted.  

 

 

Photography by Alanna Evans