Seniors from the Dickinson High School Higher Up Texas program joined Lighthouse Christian Ministries (LCM) volunteers at the Lighthouse Community Garden to prepare several beds for the spring planting. Higher Up Texas is a pilot program that teaches life skills such as finance, culture, local voting, and social responsibility. The 25 students participating in the new program engage through experiential learning, special speakers and field trips such as the community garden workday.
“Higher Up Texas has been very successful because the school sees a great value in the program and is very supportive,” said Hillary Gramm, Executive Director for Higher Up Texas. “We’re giving our students the tools they need to look beyond the classroom and visualize their future goals before they leave high school.”
Initially established in 2015 by Clear Lake Presbyterian Church, the community garden enjoys the talents and gifts of countless volunteers who have instituted many innovative horticultural techniques. K.E. Little Elementary School in Bacliff was selected as the site for the community garden that would be the beginning of a successful partnership between the school, LCM and community volunteers. In 2019, the community garden volunteers cultivated and distributed more than 1,000 lbs. of produce through the LCM food distribution ministry.
Most of the produce is distributed at the twice monthly Food Fair mobile distributions in Bacliff and San Leon. Since its inception, the community garden has evolved into a place where the community gathers to take advantage of the outdoor stage and park benches that adorn the garden perimeter.
The newest venture for the garden is creating a butterfly and hummingbird habitat where the students and community can visit and experience first-hand the wonders of nature. For more information about the community garden, go to www.lighthousecm.org/community-garden.
