... in 2015 by father and son, Ray and Tyson McKinney as a way to utilize the plants Tyson saw being composted, even in a "good year",  at sustainable and organic farms he was working with in Ohio. At the same time, during Ray's visits to the VA for hearing and eyesight problems, (from Army Artillery, Airborne and Aviation Service in the late 60's to the 80's) seeing a minimal presence of Green. Both building on lifelong family involvement with plants, from Tyson's mother's roses, her mother's "apple orchard", or numerous family trips to national parks, the healing  power of nature, with the universal awe of helping something to grow,

                sparked an old idea,

                      and to ask if there was a need.  

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                          That Question was quickly answered.

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      Starting with the Louis Stokes VA Medical Center in Cleveland, (Now the VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System - Cleveland) we worked with Veterans and staff and found immediate recipients for dozens of plants from a group a farms Tyson was working with and finding homes for excess plants.  Beginning going room to room in the spinal cord injury area, the repotted plant being a conversation starter, an old friend, or welcomed challenge, those interested, like merry moths to a flame, came curiously in support.

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            From the beginning we began with a clear image of serving Veterans, on their terms, in fighting through the most serious challenges of life as well as those who had become Recently Housed.   This was and still is the driving factor in us staying flexible, to keep asking is this what a particular Veteran needs, or wants, and how can we best support them to getting or accomplishing that.

 

 One of the Key ways we found was by providing "Welcome Home" Gardens" to not only those leaving the hospital from any duration of stay, but also given as a part of other necessities for those recently housed.