FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Please click here to read about the exciting move of
Ruah House in Cambridge to Victory Programs.

Click here for additional coverage at Bay Windows

Victory Programs’ ReVision Urban Farm Opens
Farm Stand on Blue Hill Avenue

Stand to Offer Healthy, Affordable Options for Families Living
in Dorchester and Mattapan

BOSTON, June 15, 2010 -- Just in time for the summer growing season, Victory Programs – Massachusetts’ leading residential treatment and housing provider for homeless families living with substance abuse, HIV and other chronic diseases – celebrated the opening of their new farm stand at 1062 Blue Hill Avenue in Dorchester on June 10th. 

Mayor Thomas Menino was on hand for a ribbon cutting celebration and to kick off sales of locally grown produce from Victory’s ReVision Urban Farm. Proceeds from the farm help support Victory Programs' ReVision Family Home, a shelter for 22 homeless women and their children.

“These inner city programs operated by Victory Programs have helped hundreds of homeless women and their children make healthy choices while moving to housing stability and independence,” says Mayor Menino. “By offering produce grown right in the neighborhood, the new ReVision Urban Farm stand will make healthy food options available to everyone in the community.”

Located in the heart of Dorchester, the mission of the ReVision Urban Farm is to provide fresh, affordable, locally grown produce to families in the city with limited incomes and transportation access, as well as neighbors living in the area.  The unique connection between Victory’s Revision Urban Farm and the ReVision Family Home has created a dynamic and innovative approach to ending homelessness.  

Through the ReVision Urban Farm, Victory Programs’ goal is to make a significant impact on the surrounding community by helping to close the gap on health disparities.  According to census data, one-third of the renters in the surrounding community have incomes that fall below the federal poverty level and many spend more than 40 percent of their income to pay for housing costs.  Nearly half do not have access to an automobile.  The ReVision Urban Farm Stand will make healthy, affordable food options readily accessible to this community.

During the growing season, the Urban Farm distributes enough food to provide more than 1,200 people with their recommended five servings of fresh vegetables and fruit daily. Last season, the farm grew 7,500 lbs. of produce, donated 3,600 lbs. to local shelters, and collaborated with other farmers to sell more than 10 tons of produce to hundreds of urban customers.

“I cannot imagine a more exciting or more important way to celebrate Victory Programs’ 35^th anniversary year than opening this fantastic new farm stand for our Boston neighbors,” says Executive Director Jonathan Scott. “Sharing the locally grown healthy produce from our farm stand right on Blue Hill Avenue will bring the whole community closer together.”

In addition to providing fresh produce, the farm operates a job-readiness program that is available to shelter residents as well as others seeking training.   The farm is staffed by two farmers and a seasonal grower as well as several interns. The farm has welcomed thousands of volunteers over the years and provides hands-on educational experiences to more than 300 youth annually.  The volunteers and youth learn how a farm operates and more where the food they eat comes from.

Once up-and-running the Urban Farm Stand will provide a variety of vegetables, herbs and fruit throughout the growing season and will be open Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 12:00 to 4:00 p.m.

Home • Board • Leadership • Annual Report • Strategic Alliances/Mergers • Standards of Excellence • Privacy Policies • Our Programs
Victory Health • Victory Housing • TAP • ReVision Urban Farm • Our Clients • Donate • Volunteer • Careers • Victory News • Contact Us