Nestled behind a bike path near the LA River, a vibrant and flourishing garden with 40 beds of fruits and vegetables thrives in Long Beach. Founded by Sheila Grantham in 2015, the nonprofit Adventures to Dreams Enrichment aims to make a meaningful difference in children’s lives.
“We grow food here. The kids are also able to take home all the food they grow. We also offer a free art and STEM camp in the month of July,” said Grantham.
In 2020, Grantham relocated the organization to a larger space to expand its gardening efforts. However, the garden’s mission is being overshadowed by a growing issue.
“When I first signed the lease to be here, there was nothing. It was all open, there were no encampments. It was maybe six months to a year later when one encampment started and it just triggered, more and more came,” Grantham said.
Unfortunately, the garden’s proximity to a growing homeless encampment has made many parents reconsider. Grantham said she doesn’t feel comfortable taking the kids to the bathroom.