The Center for
Chemical Addictions Treatment (also known as the CAT House) sits
on a 3 acre site in the West End at the corner of Ezzard Charles
and the entrance to northbound I75. CCAT and CGC were contacted
by a Civic Garden Center Hauck Society member in February of 2004
and asked if there was an interest in placing a community garden
in the space fronting Ezzard Charles. She was interested in funding
this project. CCAT provides meals to residents from the Joseph House.
The Joseph House houses homeless veterans. Up to 20 of the residents
participate in a halfway house program certified by the Ohio Department
of Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services. The halfway house program
involves daily group sessions, individual counseling and case management
to help the resident know and resolve the issues that caused their
homelessness. The Joseph House residents helped to build the garden,
along with students from Cincinnati State's Landscape Construction
class. After working with some of the guys the first day, Jonathan
said, “You know – this is the closest to nature I've ever been –
I grew up on concrete. This garden is going to help me free myself.”
