Finding Peace from the
Hidden Battle

I am both an Army Veteran and serve as the Metro Administrator for the Portland, OR and Vancouver, WA chapter of Team Rubicon, a humanitarian and disaster response non-profit that is founded and led by Veterans. My team has established a local relationship with VetRest in the Greater Portland Metropolitan Area that has produced positive results for all concerned over the past four years. I have also found their positive mission of mentoring Veterans in a supportive atmosphere while providing a peaceful environment within which to serve the community one that resonates personally, and which aligns well with the value set of my fellow volunteers.

From the very beginning of our work together the [VetREST] team were both intentional and inclusive. At our visioning session VetREST made sure that all voices were represented, most importantly the folks that were going to use and share the space most. They built a sense of ownership and responsibility within this community which is priceless for people experiencing houselessness.

VetREST and the Victory Garden at the Bybee Lakes Hope Center help support our primary mission to educate Oregonians about the art and science of growing and caring for plants by providing science-based information about the benefits of sustainable gardening.

With hours and hours of hard work, events, and strategic planning from Bybee Lakes Hope Center and VetREST, we have accomplished so much. This Victory Garden is more than just a beautiful place, it is a place that provides nutrition, life skills, community, support, encouragement, growth, volunteer opportunities, education and so much more.

It has been a privilege to be part of Victory Garden projects with VetREST. As a Veteran myself, I really enjoy my time helping in these outdoor projects. It provides a way to give back to the community, to learn about gardening, to relax, and to engage with other people that are looking for peace in their lives.