This is what other neighbors say about what Tikkun Farm means to our community:
“Tikkun Farms which sits in a diverse and impoverished neighborhood serves the community in multiple ways. The Farm is seen as a safe community gathering space, and a refuge for children and adults to learn and develop healthy habits for coping with stress, depression, and PTSD. All of this is intertwined with messages and lessons related to the caring for our planet, respect, building community, respecting differences, and sharing the love.”
– Sheryl Rajbhandari
“Tikkun provides families, many of which are fragile, solid supports in raising their children. Tikkun provides participating children an embracing community which nurtures their sense of self while fostering respect for family and community values.”
–Retired school teacher
“I have the pleasure of being located right across the street from Tikkun Farm. I see firsthand how it is a center of community engagement and a safe space for people in the community who might not always be welcome elsewhere. They practice what they preach and I am happy that my boys can grow up here seeing what true community really means. My boys have been involved in helping on the farm, attending summer camp, and just hanging out with the animals. And when my nephews moved here from Atlanta, and were NOT happy about it, Tikkun Farm was one of the first places that made Mt. Healthy feel like home to them. We are so grateful to have Tikkun Farm as our neighbor.”
– Neighbor across the street
“Tikkun is a peaceful and safe place for children of our community to go. They can learn about gardening, farm animals, nature, self soothing techniques and more. There are so many kids looking for attention, compassion and grace and Tikkun farm is a perfect place for that under the guidance of Mary Laymon. I’m extremely grateful to have this organization in our community and wish I had known of it sooner. Even I enjoy the peace there and have escaped my children to reset. The farm is open to all and accepting of all which is exactly what our community needs in current times.”
– Mom of Tikkun Campers
“The children understand that they needed help and have learned how to get the help at the farm. You have a program that fills the Physical, Emotional, Mental and Spiritual voids that are in their lives. You are teaching them that they can learn to read and do math. You are teaching them mostly that they have feelings and that we all have feelings and we can learn to control those feelings. The biggest change I see in the children is their ability to walk and not run in a panic from place to place. They now understand the pattern and are happy to follow it and flow with the leader.”
– Volunteer Artist in the Afterschool Program