HealthyMindsPhilly met with Xena to learn more about Norris Square Neighborhood Project (NSNP), a local non-profit serving youth through three core pillars: youth development, land stewardship, and cultural preservation.

Xena, NSNP Communications and Events Coordinator, understands that growing food and having access to green spaces are very important to individuals and community well-being. “I appreciate the pleasure of shared family meals, the preparation and enjoyment of seasonal food, and the physical work that goes into having a garden.”

Founded in 1973, NSNP is a vibrant cultural hub in North Philadelphia. The organization provides youth leadership programs, six distinct garden experiences, and various initiatives that foster artistic expression and personal growth.

Youth participating in NSNP programs spend much time outdoors, learning, planting trees, sharing meals, and even hosting a farm stand during the harvest season. These activities connect youth to the community and to each other while also teaching them important skills as they become adults. “The program creates a second home for the youth attending it, and we share our harvest at no cost or low cost with the people in the neighborhood,” shared Xena.

NSNP after school program promotes socio-emotional skills in youth, which are critical for their long-term well-being. For example, gardening reduces stress, improves focus, and fosters mindfulness, while socialization in after-school programs enhances peer relationships, emotional skills, and self-confidence. Together, these activities promote resilience, reduce anxiety, and support overall mental well-being in youth.

Graduates from NSNP’s program can be selected for an advanced internship that helps them gain professional experience and skills in the food production industry.

Part of their success lies in that “we have a great youth program team. The staff, the volunteers, the community, the participants. All of us are people who want to be here and work with each other. We are willing to step up for others and we care about the community.”

NSNP also offers opportunities to adult volunteers who want to garden and make positive changes in the world. “We hold volunteer and garden workdays every fourth Saturday from 10am-1pm, from February through Fall.” They also offer neighbors the opportunity to rent garden plots at their Las Parcelas Garden to grow their own produce.

Learn more about NSNP and their impact on youth and community well-being, their upcoming events, or find out how to support their mission by donating.

How Do Community Gardens Affect Health?
Community gardens offer more than just a place to grow food; they improve health. Residents who participate in gardening tend to eat more fruits and vegetables, experience lower stress levels, and engage in regular physical activity. Community gardens in Philadelphia also provide accessible green space, which is linked to lower rates of chronic illness and better overall well-being. See how gardening supports mental and physical health.

How Does Gardening Relate to Public Health?
Gardening contributes to public health by encouraging physical movement, improving nutrition, and promoting mental wellness. In urban neighborhoods like North Philly, where green spaces are limited, community gardens serve as vital public health interventions. They help combat issues such as poor diet, social isolation, and limited access to healthy foods. Learn about gardening’s role in health.

Community Gardens and Food Insecurity
Food deserts make it difficult for families to access affordable, nutritious foods. Community gardens help close that gap. By growing your own produce, you can reduce your dependence on convenience stores or fast food. These gardens make healthy eating more accessible, especially in underserved, low-income areas.

Community gardens also provide:

  • Free or low-cost produce
  • Job training and youth engagement opportunities
  • Safer, greener spaces that deter illegal dumping or crime
  • A sense of ownership and pride among residents
  • These benefits create long-term impacts by improving food access, health, and neighborhood cohesion.

Gardens bring people together. In North Philadelphia, they serve as gathering places where neighbors can collaborate, share knowledge, and support one another.