Gardening and fellowship offered at Growing Works nursery near Camarillo

Earlier this year, a nonprofit and the Ventura County government got together and launched a program that brings horticulture experience and job training to people who have a mental illness. 

On Saturday, Growing Works is opening its doors to the community. Through the soothing practice of gardening and fellowship, the program’s leaders hope residents, volunteers, nonprofit workers, first responders, government officials and others will benefit from Community Mental Health Day.

The event is especially for people impacted by Borderline Bar & Grill mass shooting in Thousand Oaks and the Hills and Woolsey fires, but all are welcome.

Turning Point Foundation, based in Ventura, runs the program at 1736 S. Lewis Road near Camarillo. Located on nine acres of county-owned land, Growing Works also hires people to work in the nursery.

Saturday is an opportunity for a three-hour “getaway to the nursery and gardens that you can help build,” the news release states. 

MORE:Jobs for mentally ill will take root at Camarillo nursery, garden

The event will start at 9 a.m. with stretching, then attendees can prepare to lay out mulch, dig and help out in other ways. Around 11:30 a.m., the group will gather in a circle and those who want to can share about the recent shooting and fires, organizers said. 

Tools and materials will be provided.