This Is Where I Want To Be
Photo credit: S:US
Carolyn J. (right) spent several difficult months living in a Harlem shelter before she learned about the S:US supported housing building in Third Ave, the South Bronx and moved there in December 2015. “This has been life changing for me,” she said.
“Since I moved here I’m more grounded, because S:US has provided me not just a place to live but a home. It’s very peaceful and quiet and the staff are willing to help you with anything. This is my home: and they couldn’t pull 
me out of this place if they tried, they really couldn’t. I wouldn’t leave this place if someone were to offer me a brand new house: this is where I want to be.”
On the warm September day that was the 2016 Harvest Luncheon, after being interviewed in the gardens by a News 12 reporter, Carolyn was happy to show visitors her studio apartment which boasts not only a good view of northern Manhattan, but also offers an excellent aerial view of our Third 
Ave urban farm (see right). When asked what it’s like for her to work in the garden, she enthusiastically responded,
“It’s pretty unlimited what you can do when you have a garden. It’s a beautiful environment and it’s all organic! Ever since I arrived here I’ve been getting a lot of recreation by working in the garden which I gives me a lot of peace and serenity and is very fulfilling. This type of environment is new to me but it’s soothing and gives me a place to think. It’s changed my life tremendously to watch things grow. When I came here the garden was just a blank space, and now we have life growing all around us and I get to eat it too!” She added, I’ve always eaten pretty healthy, but this is the freshest I’ve ever eaten because I’ve never grown my own food! We have a lot of fruits and vegetables, including homegrown lettuce, radishes, eggplants, tomatoes, and an abundance of herbs — you just can’t go wrong!”