Quick Take
After spending two years unhoused, Damien Christopher Camany found more than job training at the Homeless Garden Project — he found a place to belong. Here, he reflects on how working the soil helped him rebuild his sense of purpose, dignity and community, and why the organization's mission extends far beyond farming. The Homeless Garden Project recently secured the rights to acquire the 4-acre farm it has stewarded for decades — an important step toward permanently preserving both its organic farming program and transitional employment services. Camany offers a firsthand perspective on why protecting this place means protecting opportunities for people rebuilding their lives.
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Every morning, my commute to the Homeless Garden Project (HGP) farm starts out on the beach, where I feel the morning wind passing the Santa Cruz Wharf. From there, I hop on the Santa Cruz coastal rail trail just across the street and ride until the end of the trail near Antonelli Pond, which marks the start of the farm.
I am forever grateful to the HGP for providing me tools for personal growth and meaningful contribution as I transitioned from living a life on the street to a life of stability and belonging. It offered me – as it does each of its 25 annual trainees who learn to work on its organic farm – a chance to rediscover my worth and sense of self.
How does that work? How does a connection to soil and nature support someone’s sense of belonging?
For me, belonging at the Homeless Garden Project isn’t just a feeling; It’s a practice.
Before I got to the farm, I spent two hard years on the street. I was sleeping on the sidewalk, getting one shower a week and budgeting my food stamps each month. But I was determined to change my plight.
When the shelters began closing down – for me, it was the Salvation Army shelter in Watsonville – I realized I needed to find local resources to support my future. It was hard to tell myself not to give up on each cold night I slept on the streets.
It didn’t happen overnight, but once I put those goals into play and gave my purpose some structure, things began to move.
I applied for and then invested a year into the HGP’s job transitional program. There, I found a diverse community where the focus wasn’t just “helping” people, but providing encouragement and support to ensure that we all grow together. It’s about creating an environment where physical and mental health aren’t afterthoughts; they’re the priority.
There is something deeply grounding about a connection to the soil. When I work with nature, I see firsthand that growth takes time, the right environment and consistent care. That same logic applied to me.
Since 1990, the Homeless Garden Project has bridged the gap between social services and sustainable agriculture. It has a mission to cultivate a greater sense of purpose within the community – something I have experienced firsthand as one of the more than 1,000 trainees it has served.
For me, transitioning from the streets into a role where people and the earth relied on me gave me a sense of peace. I never found that sense of belonging alone in the streets, or when I was having a hard time with transitioning to housing. I was fortunate enough to find a roof over my head when I began the program.
But I quickly realized that a roof is just a cover. I was still missing the foundation: a belonging to community.
What I found at HGP is a “standing ground.” It’s a shared experience of working in a supportive environment with people who see your potential. It transforms the narrative from being a recipient of services to being a contributor.
Every day I work, I’m not just growing crops; I’m strengthening my purpose, preparing for stable employment and actively contributing to our city’s food economy.
When you visit our retail store downtown or our farm stand, don’t see just a “donation” or a “good cause.” Look at the handmade crafts and the organic produce as a reflection of the dignity of the maker. When you buy a gift crafted by someone in our training program, you are participating in a system of mutual respect. You’re saying, “I see your skill, and I value your contribution.”
That recognition is where true belonging begins.
Ultimately, HGP gave me the dignity of being a part of something larger than myself. I moved from the sidelines of the city back into its collective spirit.
Damien Christopher Camany recently graduated from the Homeless Garden Project trainee program. He is currently a student at Cabrillo College and recently got a job. He credits the program for changing his trajectory.
