Michael Watkins, a 19‑to‑25‑year‑old participant in the ReGrowth employment program, helped turn a vacant lot on 1634 Palmer Street in Indianapolis’ Fountain Square neighborhood into a flourishing community garden. Over nine weeks, the crew cleared overgrown grass, removed old bricks, built flower boxes and planted 750 native plants, creating a green oasis on the city’s southeast side.
Paid Work and Skill Building
ReGrowth, a workforce‑development initiative for justice‑involved youth, contracts crew members through Keys2Work. Participants earn a minimum of $16 per hour for four to five hours a day, three days a week, while learning hands‑on gardening, construction and landscaping techniques. The program also provides weekly coaching from Southeast Community Services on financial literacy, résumé writing and mock interviews.
Real‑World Outcomes
One participant, who goes by YB, used the program’s support to obtain a commercial driver’s license. Southeast Community Services paid her parking tickets, clearing the way for her application, and she received the license within two days. Others have leveraged the experience to secure full‑time positions in local warehouses or to assist with flood‑disaster relief for the Department of Public Works.
Community Partnerships
The garden’s design was created by Meadowlark Nativescapes, which also helped the crew purchase plants at a discount. The Fountain Square Alliance has pledged to work with local churches to maintain vegetable production in the spring of 2027, ensuring the garden remains a community asset.
Educational “Fun Fridays”
Beyond gardening, the crew enjoys weekly “Fun Fridays,” which began as lunch‑and‑learn sessions and have evolved into field trips. Participants have visited Eagle Creek for bird‑watching, toured Broganville Farm to see urban farming in action, and explored Black history exhibits at the Indiana State Museum.
Funding and Future Plans
Southeast Neighborhood Development, which oversees the program, needs at least $50,000 annually to keep ReGrowth operating. The 2026 budget was funded by the Local Initiatives Support Corporation Indianapolis, but the program was paused in 2025 due to a shortfall. Glenn Johnson, executive vice president of Keys2Work, expressed optimism that sufficient funds will be secured for a 2027 restart, benefiting both young adults and the broader community.
Why It Matters
Projects like the Palmer Street Community Garden embody the values of faith, family and liberty that strengthen neighborhoods. By offering steady wages, practical training and mentorship, the initiative helps young people break cycles of incarceration, supports local churches, and adds green space to an urban area that many residents once overlooked.
For more information about volunteering or supporting the garden, contact Southeast Neighborhood Development or the Fountain Square Alliance.
Original reporting: Mirror Indy — read the source article.
