Roots to Wellness Program

The Root to Wellness Program primarily serves low-income families, seniors, individuals with disabilities, and adults with developmental challenges in the Inland Empire region, particularly those who face barriers to accessing fresh food, outdoor spaces, and wellness education. Many of our participants come from underserved neighborhoods, group homes, or adult day programs and lack regular access to gardens, nutrition education, or therapeutic outdoor experiences.

At Root 66 Garden, our Roots to Wellness program empowers adults with developmental disabilities through hands-on gardening and wellness education. By working in the garden—planting seeds, pulling weeds, composting, and harvesting fresh produce—participants learn valuable skills that support healthier lives.

Our goal is simple: to help individuals connect with nature, learn about healthy food choices, and experience the physical and emotional benefits of growing their own food. Every activity is designed to support physical movement, social connection, and a deeper understanding of nutrition in a way that’s fun, inclusive, and meaningful.

Boosting nutrition knowledge through real-world learning in the garden

Encouraging regular physical activity in a supportive outdoor environment

Increasing access to fresh, healthy produce grown with care

Building confidence, independence, and well-being through purposeful work

The typical participant in the Root to Wellness program is an adult with cognitive or physical challenges who visits weekly as part of a support group. Others include local seniors looking for low-impact outdoor activity, or parents attending workshops with their children to learn about growing and preparing healthy food on a budget. Many have little to no gardening experience and are seeking hands-on, welcoming, and culturally sensitive wellness support.

This program provides not only education but also social connection, physical movement, and a sense of purpose—often becoming a key part of participants’ weekly routines and overall wellness.

We track our progress through simple surveys, staff observations, and shared stories from participants and their caregivers. The smiles, the friendships, the pride in harvesting a carrot they planted weeks ago—that’s the real impact.

We aim to show how powerful a garden can be in improving health, teaching life skills, and growing a more inclusive community—one seed at a time.

If you have any questions or would like to get involved with our community, please don't hesitate to contact us. We would love to hear from you!