Service-Learning OpportunitiesAt — Turning Point Foundation - Growing Works

Growing Works is a non-profit wholesale plant nursery that is the site for a vocational training program run by Turning Point Foundation. The program assists people with mental health challenges on a path to wellness with horticultural therapy, employment, and future job placement in the workforce.  Growing Works employees are referred to the program by the Ventura County Behavioral Health Department and work in a supervised setting that rewards responsibility and initiative and strengthens social skills. While physical and at times demanding, working outdoors with plants has proven to significantly contribute to the recovery.

The nursery helps fulfill an ever-present local need for high-quality, drought-tolerant California native and Mediterranean plants and succulents.  Growing Works is based on a thriving and sustainable business model where plant sales, job training services, and donations from supporters contribute to its success.

1) Maintenance of labyrinth

2) Watering the labyrinth 

3) Nursery work: Planting, weeding, and watering

4) Light construction 

5) Maintenance of front garden

6) Garden and nursery projects

7) Marketing

Growing Works is also interested in working directly with faculty from varied disciplines to build service-learning projects that support course outcomes.