In the Mat-Su Valley, MYHouse’s Halcyon Garden is a powerful example of what’s possible when community, compassion, and purpose come together. The garden offers at-risk youth the chance to build skills, grow healthy food, and find connection through meaningful work. Much of the produce is harvested for the Gathering Grounds Café, a social enterprise run by MYHouse that provides job training and meals to young people experiencing homelessness.
Through planting, tending, and harvesting, these young Alaskans gain confidence, stability, and a deeper sense of belonging. The garden has become a place of healing and growth, where community members come together, get their hands dirty, and sow the seeds of long-term change.
This work, and other community-led projects across the state, are supported by the 2025 Community Food Security Through Gardening Grant, made possible by a legacy gift from Gerald and Kathryn Freeley.
Learn more about MYHouse and the other grantees at alaskacf.org/gardening.
