At Goodwill we are Inspired By People, we believe in the Power of the Whole and that Results Matter. We use these Guiding Principles everyday to guide our work, which allows us to focus on our mission. And these Guiding Principles were very evident at Goodwill’s Community Opportunities Club (COC) 
South located at the Goodwill Center for Work and Training — Southwest Campus in Greendale.
Gardening is a favorite activity for many people, including the our Garden Club participants at COC. Our staff was Inspired by People as our club members suggested we utilize the garden boxes for “container” gardening. We listened to the Garden Club as they designed a layout for our two boxes.
The first box holds tall stalks of sweet corn in the center, a row of kale at one end and a variety of beans at the other end. We also have cucumbers, watermelon and squash, which we are attempting to grow vertically to best utilize our space.
The second garden box had some loose boards, so the Garden Club suggested we repair them. Many thanks go out to Warren in our Facilities department who showed how the Power of the Whole helps us grow together. He stopped by, on one of the hottest spring days, to adjust and secure a loose board. In that box we are now growing eggplant, peppers, flowers and our own popcorn! 
Results Matter and it is the pleasure of the staff to see firsthand the benefits and satisfaction of the Garden Club participants as they spend time with friends at the garden, build their gardening knowledge and enjoy being productive. Our participants monitor the garden’s condition; they check the weather report and let staff know when the garden needs to be watered, weeded and picked! They also have enjoyed some delicious kale and lettuce salads already!
Additionally, participants have begun creating garden crafts to decorate in and around the garden. A pumpkin patch has been planted and we hope to have our own home-grown pumpkins to make jack-o-lanterns in the fall.
We are open to suggestions and recipes as we look forward to harvesting our crops! So feel free to contact me via email if you have some!
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