KALAMAZOO, Mich. (WOOD) — A community of once-homeless veterans is blossoming thanks to the two rows of raised garden beds in the back of a house along the Kalamazoo River.

“I don’t call it brotherhood, sisterhood, I call it familyhood because that’s what we need. We need to stick together and help each other,” said Juan Gonzalez, the veteran navigator for Integrated Services of Kalamazoo. 

Gonzalez is an Air Force veteran himself with 27 years of service. He knows that the transition from the military to civilian life can be a difficult one, a journey that can sometimes be upended by mental health or substance abuse. The Keystone Veteran Transitional House in Kalamazoo serves as that net to help get veterans back on track.  

Opened in 2020, the house provides shelter to referred homeless veterans. One of the programs at the house is a therapy garden which took root in October 2021 with the support of the Portage Lowe’s location. Gonzalez said the garden not only gives resident veterans a way to stay active but also illustrate the transition.   

“It takes awhile, growth from overcoming those issues takes growth within yourself to see that it’s coming about. It’s going to take small steps but eventually, hopefully, we can get them to where we need to be a better person and help the next person pay it forward,” he said.   

Since that first season, the beds have exploded with lush green vegetables all grown by the veterans who have stayed at Keystone. The mini harvest will also give back to the residents in a different way.

Therapy garden plants and boxes at Keystone Transitional House. (Courtesy Juan Gonzalez)
Therapy garden plants and boxes at Keystone Transitional House. (Courtesy Juan Gonzalez)
Therapy garden plants and boxes at Keystone Transitional House. (Courtesy Juan Gonzalez)
Therapy garden plants and boxes at Keystone Transitional House. (Courtesy Juan Gonzalez)

“We did a couple whole beds of greens and (a veteran) came out here and he was picking greens like every week and putting that on the menu for dinner,” said Tyrone Thrash, housing coordinator.

He said the garden has fostered a sense of community within the home. He said one veteran staying at the home would even serve up the vegetables and herbs during house dinners with other veterans.

While dormant now for the winter season, Thrash said the garden keeps on giving well into to the next year. 

“There are some who come back and continue to give, continue to volunteer, they continue to support the other veterans here. And that’s really important. When a person is in a homeless situation, they need all the support they can get,” he said. 

To learn more about the services at Keystone, visit the Integrated Services of Kalamazoo website.