A new recovery garden at California Healthcare Facility

California Healthcare Facility

Two weeks before our scheduled "Recovery Garden" Build Day at the California Health Care Facility (CHCF) in Stockton, Cory Martinchek, a highly respected leader and Captain at CHCF, passed away. He had championed the garden for years, put the plan into place, and was supposed to be there.

So when the day came, the community honored him first. They planted a Japanese Maple tree and passed around seed paper for people to leave him a note. When the paper decomposes, it will drop wildflower seeds into the soil beneath the tree.

Then they got to work.

The event brought together Land Together participants, staff, and volunteers from Little Manila Rising, the City of Stockton, and Catholic Charities, along with CDCR staff and sponsors from the California Resources Corporation. Teams fanned out across the garden: one planting the Japanese Maple, one installing a medicinal garden, one establishing California natives, and one building two new raised beds in the chapel garden. 

After lunch, Land Together's Regional Lead Margot led a demonstration on drip irrigation before the group closed with a gratitude circle, participants and volunteers together. CHCF Program Manager Gary closed by presenting certificates of appreciation to the small group of participants who had installed ADA-accessible pathways before the event, making the day accessible to everyone.

After the gathering, Gary reflected:
"In six years of working within a correctional setting, after serving 13 years of incarceration myself, this event was one of the most unique and moving experiences I have been a part of. Participants, Land Together staff, and prison administration working together to design and plan an event of this nature: that is the real California Model."

Thank you to the California Resources Corporation for sponsoring the rebuild and the celebration, and thank you to Little Manila Rising, the City of Stockton, Catholic Charities, and everyone who showed up to build something beautiful.