Santa Monica Mayor Lana Negrete joined celebrity chefs and community leaders on Thursday, Sept. 11, to cut the ribbon on an urban farm designed to help homeless families rebuild their lives through fresh food and therapeutic gardening.
The Upward Bound House Urban Farm, located at 1417 Yale Street, represents a novel approach to addressing homelessness by integrating food security and wellness programs with traditional housing services. The 2,100-square-foot facility includes growing fields, hydroponic towers, a greenhouse and a teaching kitchen.
"This farm is more than soil and seeds—it's a symbol of what's possible when a community comes together with love, imagination, and a shared belief that every child deserves a place to grow," said Christine Mirasy-Glasco, CEO of Upward Bound House, during the ceremony.
The ribbon-cutting drew acclaimed Los Angeles chefs including Josiah Citrin and members of the Rustic Canyon restaurant group, who have supported the nonprofit's mission. Families served by the organization participated in planting demonstrations while chefs prepared lunch using ingredients grown on-site.
Mayor Negrete praised the initiative as an innovative model for supporting vulnerable populations. She commended Upward Bound House for "reimagining how we support our most vulnerable neighbors – from housing, to wellness, to food security – in one integrated model."
The farm produces more than 100 pounds of fruits and vegetables every two months, which are distributed through the organization's food pantry and meal services. Beyond nutrition, the space serves as a therapeutic environment where parents and children engage in gardening and nature-based activities that support mental and physical wellness.
"Access to fresh, quality food is a basic dignity everyone deserves," said Chef Citrin, lauding the farm for bringing that dignity to families rebuilding their lives.
The project became possible through a land donation from Roque & Mark, a local real estate development firm. The Markevicius family, who owns the company, provided use of the vacant lot in 2015. A. "Mark" Markevicius, the firm's chairman, spoke about his personal connection to the project, noting he grew up on a farm and was grateful to help create a nurturing farm space for children in Santa Monica.
Upward Bound House has operated in Los Angeles County since 1990, when it was founded by community leaders at the First United Methodist Church of Santa Monica during a growing affordable housing crisis. The organization began by offering shelter in a four-unit building and has since expanded to serve families across Santa Monica, Culver City, Compton and South Los Angeles.
The nonprofit's track record demonstrates significant impact: since 1990, it has placed more than 1,400 families—over 2,600 children—into permanent housing. Remarkably, 95% of families housed by the organization remain housed after one year. In 2025 alone, Upward Bound House helped more than 280 families, including 524 children, transition from homelessness to stable housing.
The urban farm extends the organization's comprehensive approach beyond emergency shelter. Families use the space for hands-on learning experiences, from tending plants to preparing healthy meals in the teaching kitchen. The initiative addresses both food insecurity and trauma healing—common challenges for families experiencing homelessness.
"This farm provides fresh, locally grown produce to families while offering engaging programs that support mental and physical wellness. Through hands-on learning and time in nature, families come together to grow, cook, and learn," according to the organization's description of the program.
Community volunteers help maintain the facility alongside residents, creating connections that extend beyond the immediate services. The collaborative effort represents what Mirasy-Glasco called "a catalyst for stability, health, and dignity" in these families' journey out of homelessness.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony marked the farm's official designation as a fully realized program, though it has been operating since the initial land donation a decade ago.