Program Structure

Swannanoa Transitional

Employment Program

The primary goal of STEP is to reduce the barriers that prevent people who have experienced chronic homelessness from reaching their personal and professional goals. While participants receive experience in agriculture and horticulture, the program is intentionally not limited to those pursuing careers in farming or the horticulture industry. Much of the learning is transferable to a wide range of jobs and small businesses, and the skills related to growing food will serve participants throughout their lives.

We are currently designing the pilot phase of this program and hope to have it underway soon. If you would like to help, contact us using the link in the header. The program is a six-month, educational fellowship for individuals who are experiencing or are vulnerable to homelessness. Participants will receive workforce training and agricultural experience. All learning will take place in community gardens and market gardens, where participants engage in structured, hands-on activities.

Participants spend approximately 16 hours per week in programming focused on horticulture and work-readiness skills. Small cohorts of four participants are supported by a dedicated crew leader who serves as a mentor throughout the program. In addition to educational instruction, mentors help participants connect with community resources and social services that address barriers to stability, including financial literacy, mental health support, addiction recovery, document replacement, credit repair, and related services.

To ensure participants can fully engage in learning, the program provides a fellowship stipend, paid weekly, to help cover basic living expenses during the six-month period. The program is designed to support growth, dignity, and long-term stability—recognizing that education, supportive relationships, and practical skills are essential foundations for lasting change.

This program will last 24 weeks.  A wage of $25 per hour will be paid while participating in the program.  This will be issued in weekly installments of $400.

Community Gardens

The community gardens program will expand and maintain existing community gardens in Swannanoa and build new gardens on public and private land. The vision is to have fresh produce within walking distance of every resident. Volunteers will be pulled from residents of Swannanoa, students of nearby colleges, and visitors from around the country. Participants in the STEP initiative will use the gardens as their lab and classroom as they develop a market garden with food grown for sale.

Produce from the gardens will be shared with the community through other nonprofit food distributions.