Community Builders began in 2001 with a single building in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. At the time, we were just a small team with a big vision: to provide safe, inclusive housing for people facing barriers. Over the past 24 years, we’ve grown to operate 15 housing sites across Metro Vancouver. Today, we house over 900 individuals and employ more than 300 dedicated staff.
As a housing provider, our mission is to offer compassionate, individualized support that helps people not only access housing but keep it. The people we serve have often experienced chronic homelessness, addiction, disability, and trauma. Our model is simple: housing first, with wraparound supports and a belief in everyone’s right to a dignified life.
One of the ways we bring this mission to life is through community gardening. Thanks to support from West Coast Seeds' Community Roots program, we’ve established vibrant gardens at three of our housing sites: Alewem, Naomi Place, and Reiderman Residence. Each garden is a little different—some are led by staff, others by residents or volunteers—but they all offer the same thing: a free, low-barrier way for residents to connect, learn, and heal.
Gardening plays an important role in mental health and recovery. There is something deeply grounding about working with soil, planting a seed, and watching it grow. For many of our residents, who have lived through years of instability, gardening offers routine, purpose, and connection. It also contributes to food security by supplementing residents’ meals with fresh herbs and vegetables.
Most importantly, it helps transform our housing sites into true communities. Residents take pride in their gardens, sharing the harvest and their knowledge with one another. They value the calm and beauty that plants bring into their everyday lives.
With gratitude to Community Roots for helping us foster a true sense of home for our resident greenthumbs!
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