About GHV
Rooted in North Chicago
Growing Healthy Veterans is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that uses sustainable agriculture, hands-on learning and community engagement to help veterans heal, reconnect and find purpose. It serves veterans, active-duty military and neighbors in North Chicago and Lake County, Illinois.
How the garden grew
2016
Borrowed plots in Grayslake
GHV's first program brings veterans from the Federal Health Care Center to garden plots donated by the Liberty Prairie Foundation in Grayslake, for the summers of 2016 and 2017.
2018
Fourteen acres in North Chicago
The City of North Chicago gives GHV the use of a 14-acre city-owned parcel. It becomes the North Chicago Commons Community Garden, with more than a dozen plots.
2021
Losing a founder
Co-founder Lukan Paulus dies on September 9, 2021.
2023
A state grant to grow
Illinois State Sen. Adriane Johnson secures a $150,000 capital grant so GHV can more than triple its garden space.
Today
The Healing Garden
Veterans and volunteers build raised beds and grow food at the GHV Healing Garden on the Rosalind Franklin University Health Clinic grounds. Hoop houses are planned for 2027.
The two founders
They saw that veterans coming home often lacked chances for connection, purpose and healing in a supportive community, and started GHV to build one.
Marshall Fox
Co-founder, Air Force veteran
Marshall served in the U.S. Air Force before co-founding GHV with Lukan.
Lukan Paulus
Co-founder, 1969-2021
Born on Guam, Lukan was certified in sustainable agriculture by the College of Lake County and in horticultural therapy by the Chicago Botanic Garden. He helped establish GHV's community gardens in North Chicago and Gurnee, working with veterans from the Lovell Health Care Center and the Lake County Veterans Court program.
Board and staff
Ellen Ewing
President
Mitchell Siegel
Vice President
Charlotte Hendrickson
Secretary
Claudien Schroeder
Treasurer
Shannon Bassi
Executive Director (part-time)
Dan Drews
Board Member
Jackie Kendall
Board Member
Jessica Klinge
Board Member
Bonny Mayfield
Board Member
Merleanne Rampale
Board Member
Come see the garden
The garden runs on veterans, neighbors and volunteers who show up. Come meet them.
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