Each spring, Cabbage Patch staff members take a group of children to Central Park to spruce up the landscaping. The other volunteers refer to The Cabbage Patch kids as the “Garden Ninjas.” They replant pansies, mulch and pull weeds. It would be a big job for just one or two volunteers, but because they all work together, they make quick work of beautifying their neighborhood park.
Many people in low-income neighborhoods feel a lack of “ownership” of their community. It makes it hard for some to respect their surroundings. They may turn to drugs and alcohol as a form of self-medication to avoid the stress of poverty. At The Cabbage Patch, we strive to make our facility a place that children can be proud of, and we seek opportunities to give back to the local community. When children see the results of their hard work, they know that it is in their power to make the world a better place.
When children are part of a peer group focused on constructive activities, they avoid negative or destructive behavior and contribute positively to their community.