BMVP - Cultivating Recovery Garden Programming

STEP, Inc. collaborates to overcome and eliminate barriers to each person’s full participation in the community, in order to deepen their capacity to pursue the growth and change they seek. People who are new in recovery often suffer from malnutrition. They often lack resources and knowledge on how to purchase, grow, or prepare nutritious food for themselves and their families. Research shows that nutritional education is underutilized in substance use disorder (SUD) treatment, despite being necessary for comprehensive care.

There is a push for dietitians to actively work to integrate nutritional education into treatment programs to better support individuals in recovery. The formation of a community garden will be a restorative, accessible space where women can reflect, connect with each other, and gain a sense of pride in their contributions. In addition to providing a therapeutic outlet, the garden will be a source of fresh, nutritious food for the recovery home, promoting healthy eating habits and reducing food insecurity.

Residents will learn how to grow and prepare meals, reinforcing the importance of self-care and personal responsibility in recovery. By growing their own food, women will also build a sense of community and mutual support as they work together toward shared goals. The garden will also serve as a lasting legacy of the healing power of nature, offering a space that will benefit future generations of women in recovery.

This project will alleviate poverty by encouraging financial stability through the affordable provision of nutritious food and reducing health care impacts or costs associated with addiction relapsing and food insecurity.

Promote addiction recovery and reduce food insecurity by establishing a sustainable community garden in Billings, Montana! The overall goal of this project is to improve health outcomes and increase access to food security by creating a community garden for women recovering from addiction. The VISTA member will recruit volunteers that will sustain garden operations and instruction; develop financial resource plans that will ensure long-term program stability;

improve community awareness of garden resources; and refine materials for marketing, recruitment and human resources.

• Relocation Allowance
• Training
• Choice of Education Award or End of Service Stipend
• Living Allowance
• Health Coverage*
• Childcare assistance if eligible

• Car recommended
• Permits working at another job during off hours
• Permits attendance at school during off hours

• Education
• Hunger
• Homelessness
• Tribal
• Housing
• Community and Economic Development
• Children/Youth
• Neighborhood Revitalization
• Public Safety
• Health
• Community Outreach
• Technology
• Veterans

• Public Speaking
• Leadership
• Public Health
• Team Work
• Communications
• Community Organization
• General Skills
• Counseling
• Social Services
• Writing/Editing