St. André Health Care has been a long-trusted provider of senior care services to the residents of Biddeford, Maine. We live our mission of service through community outreach projects in the neighboring area. We serve as a clinical training site for students pursuing college-level healthcare career programs.
Staff Garden Creating Community
The Staff Garden at St. André Health Care in Biddeford, Maine, got its start with a request from an employee that the leadership team took to heart. With rising inflation, the burdensome costs of food and other expenses, a staff garden was one way to support our Mission and values, promote wellness and the call to serve community.
In her daily chaplaincy rounds, Director of Mission and Spiritual Care Anne Theriault, spoke with Cassy, a CNA who asked about the possibility of starting a staff garden. A number of employees do not have access to green spaces for their own gardens. The possibility of growing one’s own food and harvesting fresh produce for one’s family was very appealing for many reasons.
St. Andre’ would cover the cost of materials for garden beds that were built by Francois Blais, director of plant operations, and donations would be solicited from local organizations. The Biddeford-Saco Rotary Club donated funds for plant seedlings, and numerous staffers took roles in bringing the vision of a community garden to fruition.
It was a good first season: tomatoes, cucumbers, broccoli, peppers, cauliflower, herbs, greens, and a variety of flowers were harvested. First-time gardeners learned from their more seasoned coworkers.
The bounty was shared with coworkers and residents, and some of the fruits of the gardeners’ labor were canned to enjoy a taste of that first harvest during the long Maine winter.
St. Andre’ partners with Bon Appetit Community Meal Program
This year, we are deepening our partnership with the Bon Appetit Community Meal Program through the Healing HeARTS Program sponsored by the St. Marguerite d’Youville Grant. Every First Tuesday, Healing HeARTS brings people together through the power of creativity, compassion, and connection. This program offers hands-on art experiences for members of our wider community impacted by food insecurity. By holding space for self-expression, healing and hospitality, St. Andre’ Health Care seeks to nurture hope and promote the dignity of each person. Rooted in our mission of healing and caring for the whole person – mind, body and spirit – this program also builds greater bonds in our Biddeford community.