Rooted in Recovery: Veterans Find Healing and Connection Through Gardening at PRRC

On a quiet corner of Cleveland's Euclid Avenue, near the Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Recovery Center, a once-barren lot now bursts with life, a vibrant array of vegetables and flowers. But for the Veterans who gather here each week, the most critical growth isn't in the garden—it's within themselves.

The PRRC's new gardening group, "Rooted in Recovery," began this summer thanks to a partnership between Clinical Nurse Specialist Amy Spuckler and Recreation Therapist Deborah Davison. Spuckler secured garden beds through the Greater Eastside Initiative for Sustainability (GEIS) and invited Davison to lead the project with Veterans.

"The idea came from our volunteer group, which was already exploring teamwork and community service," Davison said. "When we introduced gardening, the Veterans immediately jumped on the idea. It's interactive, it's therapeutic, and it ties directly into recovery."

The program focuses on more than planting seeds. Each session is built around the five domains of Recreation Therapy — physical, social, cognitive, emotional, and spiritual growth. Veterans learn how to plan, cultivate, and harvest vegetables, while also practicing problem-solving, building confidence, and discovering new ways to manage stress and anxiety.

For Veteran Kalinda Rae Still, the experience was both challenging and rewarding.

"At first it was just weeds and rocks, really hard ground," she said. "But then to see life, produce, and color come from it — that was big for me. 

We all played a part in designing the garden, pulling weeds, planting, and turning soil. Now, when I see sunflowers blooming or taste a tomato straight from the vine, it feels different than buying it at a store. It's something we created together."

Others shared how gardening created a sense of belonging that is often hard to find outside the military community.

"For me, it helps keep me level," said Veteran Thomas Hawkins. "We have camaraderie here that people outside might not understand. For this hour, we're not outsiders. We're included. We're working toward a common goal, and it feels good."

Beyond the harvest, the project has sparked new friendships and everyday conversations — sometimes about vegetables, sometimes about recipes, sometimes about life. Veterans swap tips for guacamole and chili, trade peppers and tomatoes, and laugh about who can handle the spiciest jalapeños.

For one longtime gardener, the program also offered perspective.

"I used to think gardening was just for older people," said Veteran Timothy Johnson. "But once I started, it became therapeutic. It's like when you do an oil change yourself instead of taking your car in — you appreciate it more. This year's harvest has been the best because it wasn't just me. It was all of us, working together."

The impact hasn't gone unnoticed. Once quiet veterans have stepped up to lead, offering expertise on crops they've grown before. Others have discovered unexpected joy in tending cilantro or watching bees hover around sunflowers.

For Davison, the most rewarding part has been witnessing what's possible when Veterans unite for a shared purpose. "The camaraderie has been amazing," she said. "The Veterans feel connected, they feel like they belong, and they're proud of what they've accomplished together."

The garden also benefits veterans in the Community Resource and Referral Center, many of whom face food insecurity. Produce from the garden is shared with CRRC participants, providing fresh vegetables and another way for case managers to connect with veterans in need.

Looking ahead, the PRRC plans to expand the project. "This year was a pilot," Davison said. "Next year, we hope to use both garden beds, plant more varieties, and build on everything we learned this season."

For now, though, the veterans are savoring the fruits — and friendships — of their labor. As Veteran Carissa Robison summed it up:

"It's peaceful. It's meditating. And it shows that we did it — together."