Donation to help local youths develop green thumbs

A group of local young people who were previously at risk of homelessness will learn to cook nutritious meals using home-grown ingredients thanks to a donation by Bunnings Warrnambool to St John of God Horizon House.

24 Oct 2016

As part of St John of God Health Care’s commitment to social outreach, Horizon House provides long-term accommodation and support to young people aged 16-22 years who are currently experiencing or at serious risk of homelessness. Horizon House Warrnambool veggie garden

The program allows residents to engage in education, training and employment opportunities and supports them to develop essential life skills, such as cooking, that they will need in order to live independently.

Bunnings will donate a raised garden bed complete with herb and vegetable seedlings which two of its team members will help install at Horizon House Warrnambool on Thursday, 20 October.

It will also donate a worm farm to support the prosperity of the herb and vegetable garden.

The herb and vegetable garden will help supplement Horizon House Warrnambool’s grocery bill and encourage the consumption of fresh, healthy, home-cooked meals.

Horizon House Support Coordinator, Lara Venzo said the young residents of the House were very excited about the opportunity to grow and harvest their own fresh ingredients.

“A number of our young people have developed a real interest in cooking since they’ve come to live at the House, which is fantastic to see.” Lara said.

“We have a strong focus on encouraging a healthy lifestyle and making sure that by the time young people leave our Program, they have the basic skills that they need in order to live independently so making sure residents know how to cook nutritious meals is a big focus.

“We also work closely with them on managing their personal budget and making sure they understand how to allow for regular expenses such as groceries, utility bills and rent.

“This donation by Bunnings will be a fantastic way to show residents the impact that growing your own produce can have on the weekly grocery bill.”

Horizon House Warrnambool provides accommodation for up to six young people at any given time. Nationally, the Horizon House Program supported 138 at-risk youth during the 2015/16 financial year.