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Business leaders join teens in building raised garden beds By WENDY SIPOREN TALENT -- In the spirit of an old-fashioned barn-raising, 30 business leaders joined a dozen teens in building raised garden beds for Community Works' youth shelter Tuesday. The noise of hammers and a mini-loader nearly drowned out the sound of Creedence Clearwater Revival blasting through an open window at the Youth Diagnostic Shelter, where boys and girls between the ages of 10 and 18 live while long-term care is sought for them. In an abusive family situation or on their own, anti-social behavior has brought them to the shelter. What their teacher, Mary Foster, hopes will bring them together is a project where they can learn about America's No. 1 leisure activity and learn some skills as well. "This project couldn't have come along at a better time," said Foster. "The focus of our shelter school is `harambe,' which means `we all pull together' in Swahili." The youth chose an ambitious list of vegetables to grow in their new garden beds. "They even said broccoli," said Foster. Two boys living at the shelter said they planned on using the skills they had learned building the beds to help them get jobs in the future. Donna, another resident, was more introspective about the day's lessons. "Gardening is good therapy. It helps us with our stress," she said. "We have something to look forward to every day. It's something to be proud of." Donna went on to say the garden project was a good way to get to know her peers better and learn to work together. Working together was one of the goals of the group who made the garden possible, the leadership class of the Medford/Jackson County Chamber of Commerce. The chamber has coordinated the eight-month leadership training program for the past 15 years. Participants from local businesses meet monthly to learn about county government, community nonprofit agencies and education. With 40 participants from local businesses, this year marks the largest class ever, said Carolyn Hill of the chamber. She said the annual class project provides an opportunity for the leadership training team to pool diverse talents and put members' training into action. "It's fantastic to see how a group can pull together to see this come to pass," said class member Jill Ditty, marketing director at the Rogue Valley Mall. To enroll in next fall's leadership class, call Hill, 779-4847. Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, Oregon USA