RENO — Last weekend, clients and their children at STEP2’s transitional housing campus, the Lighthouse of the Sierras, got their hands dirty while planting more than 50 vegetable plants generously donated by individuals and businesses.  STEP2 is a comprehensive substance abuse treatment program that provides women and their children suffering from chemical addiction, poverty and domestic violence the opportunity to rebuild their lives.

More than a year ago, members of Soroptimist International of Reno, a volunteer-based organization working to improve the lives of women and girls in the community and the founder of STEP2, began planning what has become a 25-foot by 25-foot garden for the Lighthouse campus.  The vision was multi-faceted: to provide clients and their children a fun, healthy outdoor activity; enhance the appearance of the campus; teach gardening; increase clients’ understanding of the importance of nutrition; and provide lasting life skills such as responsibility, problem solving and teamwork.

On Sunday, several Lighthouse residents along with their kids joined STEP2 employees and Soroptimist International of Reno volunteers to plant four vegetable beds.  Over the coming months, volunteers will meet with clients to provide gardening tips and cooking demonstrations using produce from the garden.