Uncategorized

On Friday, May 17, we opened our community garden at the Bridge for the second year in a row! Over 25 people joined us as we planted tomatoes, herbs, okra, squash, peppers and more in the yard behind our oldest location. Staff, clients, and members of the local community prepared and planted the garden, and plots were assigned to participating families.

In 2017, North Community Counseling Centers began a partnership with the Bhutanese Community of Central Ohio (BCCO). As we worked more with the Bhutanese-Nepali community, we learned that farming and green spaces were very important to them. We realized our Bridge location had a great opportunity to bring the community together, as well as providing fresh food.

Last year, the garden opened for the first time. Clients and staff participated, and word spread to the rest of the community about the garden. More people participated this year than last year, and it’s a tradition NCCC will continue to bring together the community and provide a green, healthy space for Northland’s residents!

Women’s Empowerment Program Kick-Off Party

Saturday, June 22
11:00 am – 3:00 pm
1855 East Dublin Granville Road
Columbus, OH 43229

Join us in celebrating the start of our Women’s Empowerment Program! We’re hosting a kick-off party at our North office on Saturday, June 22! Come enjoy free food, music, giveaways, sober family fun, and more, and we’ll also be providing resources about the program.

NCCC’s Women’s Empowerment Program provides the skills, education, and real-life help women need to gain true independence and overcome life’s challenges. Through substance use disorder treatment, counseling, case management, family activities, and more, the program addresses the emotional, environmental, and social barriers women face.

Click here to download the event flyer! 

Each year, as spring enters full swing, gardeners and farmers across the state of Ohio begin planting new fruits, vegetables, herbs, flowers, and other plants. In urban areas, some of these gardeners have banded together to form community gardens. These green spaces are located on an open plot of land and shared between participants who live in the community. Together, individuals care for the gardens and share in the rewards, including affordable fresh produce.

Research shows that households with community garden participants eat fruits and vegetables more than those who don’t, and they are more likely than non-gardeners to eat the recommended daily amount. Participants also have lower body mass indexes (BMIs), a tool for measuring body fat. For urban areas that often lack grocery stores and access to fresh produce, these gardens provide opportunities for community members to learn about gardening, get active, and become physically healthier as a result.

But the benefits of these gardens go far beyond simply providing accessible, healthy food; they can also improve the mental health of the entire community. People who garden for at least 30 minutes a week have higher levels of self-esteem and better moods overall. They also have less stress and tension. Community gardens also help to beautify vacant lots or industrial areas, which can also help neighborhoods be safer and happier. In fact, some research even shows that community gardens may lead to higher homeownership rates and revitalized communities.

Get involved in your community, and join a garden near you! North Community Counseling Centers has its own community garden, located at the Bridge location. Planting begins on Friday, May 17, from 4:00 to 7:00 pm. The garden is open to all NCCC clients, friends, children, and members of the community!