ARC’s Magnolia House
Anti-Recidivism Coalition’s (ARC) Re-Entry Magnolia House // Los Angeles
Citizen Farmer’s + Healers Gardening + Mindfulness Program
We are regenerating the yard spaces at Anti-Recidivism Coalition's (ARC) re-entry residence on Tongva land, also know as Koreatown, Los Angeles.
The young men in our program at ARC have been transforming their residence. To ensure the gardens thrive, our team carefully tested and addressed any soil deficiencies. Through our soil remediation efforts, we have revitalized nutrient-poor soil, creating a flourishing environment for plants. We have constructed new garden beds, allowing residents to grow their own fresh produce that we harvest for our cooking classes. Additionally, we replaced barren gravel areas with lush green grass, enhancing the aesthetic appeal of their outdoor spaces. In line with our sustainability commitment, we established a compost bin, collecting organic waste from their food scraps to enrich our gardens with nutrient-rich soil. Our cooking classes have also gained popularity, as we educate community members on preparing culturally-focused and nutritious meals.
We weave in teachings and have discussions about race, racial theory, decolonization, transformative justice, and indigenizing. We teach trauma healing techniques by engaging with breath, movement, and sound exercises to facilitate self-confidence and emotional balance. We integrate art and writing, classes about the environment, sustainability, culinary skills and recipes, and how to care for plants that will feed your body, mind, and soul. There is immense healing that comes from caring for a plant, tuning into our body, and simply getting our feet in soil and skin in the sun!
With our Citizen Farmers + Healers program, Green Arrow CoLab continues to have a positive impact by promoting environmental stewardship and fostering a sense of community among residents.
Netflix Sponsorship:
PLUS! We had an extra-special partnership for the launch of this garden - Netflix’s On My Block sponsored and paid for the plants, soil, and more for the Green Arrow + ARC Launch event! Netflix’s On My Block is supporting and collaborating with leading community organizations around the country to give back as part of the Love My Block initiative. Love My Block is an initiative from the series On My Block that is encouraging community action and highlighting the importance of giving back to the “block that shaped us”. We are honored and grateful to be included in this initiative with ARC. Even Ron Finley, the Gangster Gardener, showed up!
About ARC and Re-Entry Homes:
A re-entry home is a safe and supportive residency for those who have recently been released from prison/jail/halls/camps. ARC serves people coming home from incarceration who want a community that will support their change and success. We recognize that most system-involved youth have had disruption in their life - education, relationships, and more - and may not have had "normal" childhood and young adult experiences. Most have experienced trauma - emotional, psychological, or physical - both before and during their time inside.
A re-entry home offers youth a safe landing where their basic needs are met and they have an opportunity to grow, discover what they are passionate about, and create a more sustainable life for themselves.
