During Workshop, participants learn during psychoeducational reflection groups; build community as they share meals and stories; grow and heal by tending to EarthLinks’ garden; and express themselves artistically by crafting products from sustainable materials. Garden produce is consumed by participants on-site and distributed to neighbors experiencing food insecurity, and crafts are sold to the public, with proceeds returned to participants as modest but meaningful stipends. Empowered by their contributions and the safety and acceptance they find, participants engage in trauma-informed, person-centered case management to receive assistance in managing crisis situations, meeting basic needs, setting and achieving goals, and securing and maintaining housing. Case management is supplemented by on-site, no-cost therapy, and housing retention is supported by the provision of ongoing resident advocacy and wraparound services. 

Workshop begins with a group breakfast, during which participants are encouraged to socialize and build community. Following breakfast, participants engage in 30-minute reflection that begins with a presentation on a psycho-educational or nature-based topic and ends with a group discussion. Following reflection, participants choose to engage in a workgroup focused on a specific project. Projects include creating sustainable crafts, working in the garden, beekeeping, creating soaps and lotions, and more. Workgroups provide participants opportunities to choose to engage in projects that are accessible and meaningful to them while promoting skill-building, allowing for creative expression and nature-based healing, and offering support in practicing self-advocacy, collaboration, conflict resolution, communication, and more.

Following workgroups, participants clean up and enjoy a group lunch together, which is often cooked using produce from the garden. In the afternoons following Workshop, participants attend on-site group and individual therapy, meet with case managers, and can access EarthLinks’ computer lab to complete housing applications, search for jobs, and more. Participants also engage in peer support groups such as the Culinary and Beekeeping Clubs, Alumni Group activities, leadership opportunities like the Resident Caring Committee, and Trips into Nature, which provide barrier-free access to outdoor destinations across the state.