Since 2023, Champions in Service has been cultivating more than just plants, we’ve been nurturing community wellness. With the support of a $75,000 grant from Best Start San Fernando Valley (SFV), a First 5 LA initiative that funds community-led projects through its United in Action process, we began our journey to create spaces where families could come together, connect with nature, and improve their overall well-being.
Planting the Seeds of Wellness
Our original program, the Nature and Family Wellness Program, focused on supporting families in neighborhoods like Sylmar, Pacoima, San Fernando, Panorama City, North Hills, and Sun Valley. Through weekly parent support groups, families engaged in discussions about physical and mental health, nutrition, and stress reduction techniques. These conversations were paired with hands-on experiences in our wellness garden, nature walks, and monthly family field trips to hiking trails, parks, and beaches.
Gardening became more than a hobby, it was a tool for building resilience. Families explored healthy eating through planting fruits and vegetables, learned stress management through nature-based activities, and strengthened community bonds by sharing experiences and supporting one another. Along the way, our garden grew to include chickens and rabbits, adding a fun and educational dimension for the children and parents who participated.
Since 2023, Champions in Service has been cultivating more than just plants, we’ve been nurturing community wellness. With the support of a $75,000 grant from Best Start San Fernando Valley (SFV), a First 5 LA initiative that funds community-led projects through its United in Action process, we began our journey to create spaces where families could come together, connect with nature, and improve their overall well-being.
Planting the Seeds of Wellness
Our original program, the Nature and Family Wellness Program, focused on supporting families in neighborhoods like Sylmar, Pacoima, San Fernando, Panorama City, North Hills, and Sun Valley. Through weekly parent support groups, families engaged in discussions about physical and mental health, nutrition, and stress reduction techniques. These conversations were paired with hands-on experiences in our wellness garden, nature walks, and monthly family field trips to hiking trails, parks, and beaches.
Gardening became more than a hobby, it was a tool for building resilience. Families explored healthy eating through planting fruits and vegetables, learned stress management through nature-based activities, and strengthened community bonds by sharing experiences and supporting one another. Along the way, our garden grew to include chickens and rabbits, adding a fun and educational dimension for the children and parents who participated.
A Community of Support
The heart of the program was the relationships formed among our participants. Primarily Spanish-speaking mothers came together each week to discuss challenges, share experiences of trauma, and support each other’s growth. The program offered more than just physical and mental wellness resources, it created a safe, empowering space for families to learn, connect, and thrive.
Growing with Urban Agriculture
After a brief pause due to funding constraints, our garden program grew into a new opportunity: the Urban Agriculture Employment Program, launched in September 2025 with support from the Ballmer Group through the Urban Peace Institute (UPI). This paid, hands-on program provides community members with skills in gardening, CA native plant landscaping, and environmental stewardship while caring for our chickens and rabbits.
Participants in this seasonal program gain practical experience, earn a monthly stipend, and learn how to apply sustainable urban agriculture practices. The program also nurtures leadership, teamwork, and community engagement, empowering participants to take an active role in shaping healthier neighborhoods.
Looking Ahead
From our first seedlings in 2023 to our current urban agriculture initiative, our programs have always been about more than just gardening. They’re about planting the seeds of wellness, supporting mental and physical health, fostering community connections, and creating opportunities for growth.
We are proud to continue nurturing our garden and our community, and we invite neighbors, families, and supporters to join us in cultivating wellness, one plant, one conversation, and one shared experience at a time.
