Celebrating Growth, Healing and New Beginnings: Phoenix Garden Intern Graduation 

On July 30, 2026, the San Mateo County Phoenix Garden community celebrated the graduation of 17 young adults from the Phoenix Garden Summer Internship Program. 

The graduates represented youth from vulnerable communities who have experienced behavioral health challenges, involvement with the criminal justice system and/or other challenges such as poverty and homelessness. The ceremony highlighted their resilience, accomplishments, partnerships and growing pride in themselves and their work. 

The graduation included a tour led by the youth participants, where they shared about their experience in the garden. Several interns shared how the program helped them build confidence, develop healthier ways to care for themselves, and experience the healing benefits of working outdoors. They described the garden as a place where they could feel calm, connected, supported and hopeful. Through meaningful work and trusted relationships, interns strengthened skills in teamwork, responsibility, creativity, leadership, and self-advocacy. 

The participants also presented projects they completed over the summer. These projects were designed and led by small teams of youth. They included: 

• Creating a welcoming circle at the garden entrance with native and culturally meaningful plants.
• Partnering with the San Mateo County Native and Indigenous Peoples Initiative (NIPI) to enhance the NIPI garden area with California native plants.
• Designing a mural that honors that celebrates the Phoenix Garden, including the Ohlone people, the original stewards of the land, as well as native plants and animals.

The mural also reflects the youths’ journeys and their ability to “break the chains” of past challenges, harmful systems, and limiting expectations as they create new possibilities for their lives. 

The Phoenix Garden Internship Program is an important example of early behavioral health intervention. It reaches young people who are already navigating significant challenges and provides timely support before those challenges become more severe. Through mentorship, structure, employment experience, cultural connection, and opportunities to succeed, the program helps strengthen protective factors and connects youth to positive relationships and pathways. 

The program demonstrates that early intervention can take place outside traditional clinical settings. Healing happens through connection to the land, creative expression, supportive relationships, meaningful responsibility and a sense of belonging. These experiences help young people recognize their strengths, manage stress, build confidence, and envision a hopeful future. 

The impact extends beyond the internship. The skills, relationships, and sense of accomplishment developed through the program may support interns in their education, employment, well-being, and continued connection to their communities. Their projects have also created a more welcoming, culturally meaningful, and healing space for future garden visitors. 

The program was developed and led by the University of California 4-H, a youth development program with the goal of helping all California youth thrive. Throughout the program, 4-H partnered closely with San Mateo County Behavioral Health and Recovery Services, Public Health, Policy and Planning, the County Office of Education and the Juvenile Probation Department. 

Congratulations to all the graduates for their hard work, courage and creativity. Special thanks to Public Health Policy and Planning, Health Administration, the Regents of the University of California Phoenix Garden Team, intern and intern leads, families, mentors, and community partners for investing in youth healing, leadership, and new beginnings. 

By Maria Lorente-Foresti, Office of Diversity and Equity Director