Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. – Residents of National CORE’s San Ysidro Senior Village, Encanto Village and Mission Cove affordable living communities will expand community gardens to boost access to healthy food and fostering nutrition education.

The food sovereignty program is part of Hope through Housing Foundation’s Pathways to Economic Empowerment and Connections to Care program programs, which work to improve the quality of life for families and seniors.

Hope through Housing will offer programs in composting, seed saving and stewardship at San Ysidro Senior Village, which has an existing community garden. Encanto Village in San Diego will create a multi-generational garden, establish a food-sharing program to strengthen community food security and create a “Children’s Hope’’ outdoor classroom garden in collaboration with a master gardener. Mission Cove in Oceanside will expand a multi-generational garden shared with Community Housing Works.

This program is funded through a $25,000 donation from the County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency’s Public Health Services and administered by the San Diego Foundation. The San Diego Foundation inspires enduring philanthropy and enables community solutions to improve the quality of life in our region.

The programs run through December 2024.

“One of the biggest challenges faced by families in low-income communities – especially seniors – is their limited access to fresh, nutritious food,” Hope through Housing President Gregory Bradbard said. “Our residents will receive access to high-quality fruits and vegetables while learning healthy living values thanks to this incredible program through the San Diego Foundation.”

Hope through Housing’s Pathways program fosters economic mobility and helps low-income residents in National CORE affordable housing communities and surrounding neighborhoods achieve economic stability. Connections to Care provides seniors with mental and physical health programs, fosters social connectedness, supports nutritional food sufficiency, among other services.

Residents of communities served by Hope through Housing typically earn between 30% and 80% of the area median income. Many lack the educational and financial literacy skills to progress beyond poverty. Single mothers head 64% of the homes and 83% of the children qualify for free or reduced-price meals.

 Hope through Housing’s mission is to help break the cycle of generational poverty. Utilizing onsite community centers and long-standing relationships with residents living within National CORE affordable apartment communities, it can deliver resources and support right where residents live. Hope through Housing offers services to more than 8,000 households and 24,000 residents.

Hope through Housing has two additional areas of focus. The Building Bright Futures initiative offers elementary to middle school students a safe environment and daily support within 30 community centers. In partnership with its housing partner, National CORE, the foundation’s Unlocking Opportunities program also provides a stable living environment for individuals and families at risk of homelessness.

Click here to support Hope through Housing’s Pathways to Economic Empowerment program.

Click here to support Hope through Housing’s Connections to Care services.