The U.S.VETS Waianae Civic Center is the only U.S.VETS site providing services to both veteran and civilian families. In 2007, the State of Hawaii asked U.S.VETS to extend its program to include the civilian homeless population, and it now provides shelter services and comprehensive care to nearly 200 men, women, and children each day.

In January, U.S.VETS opened a second shelter in Waianae, called Kulia I Ka Nuu, providing additional emergency beds and apartments for families.

Waianae, like many areas in Hawaii, faces a significant homelessness crisis. The Waianae Coast has a large concentration of individuals living without shelter, driven by factors including high housing costs, limited affordable housing options, and economic hardship. 

The "Seeds of Hope" garden project represents a positive step toward addressing some of the challenges faced by vulnerable populations in the community. The garden features nine planter boxes, 24 tons of gravel, 10 tons of soil, and a brand-new irrigation system. Home Depot also provided weed mats and the wood for the planter beds. Employees from Bayer volunteered over 450 hours to finish the project.
 

Click to watch the KITV-4 story on the blessing.
 

Tanya Brown, Executive Director of U.S.VETS Waianae, expressed her gratitude for the partnership, saying: "This garden is more than just a source of fresh food; it's a place of healing, empowerment, and community for the families we serve. It symbolizes hope and new beginnings, and we are incredibly grateful to Bayer Hawaii and Seminis for their commitment to our mission."

Nicole Pelzel of Bayer Hawaii, who helped plan and organize the creation of the garden, shared her enthusiasm: "The Seeds of Hope initiative is a tangible demonstration of Bayer's commitment to supporting local communities and fulfilling our mission of Health for all, Hunger for none. We believe in the power of partnerships, and we are proud to collaborate with U.S.VETS and Seminis for a healthier Hawaii."

Megan Fonoti, also a key planner from Bayer Hawaii, added: "This project showcases the incredible impact we can make when different teams come together with a shared vision. Seeing the community come together to build this garden, and knowing it will provide fresh, healthy food for so many, is truly rewarding."

The success of the Seeds of Hope garden is a testament to the strong collaboration between Bayer Hawaii's Oahu teams. Employees across different departments worked together as one unified team focusing on community engagement and volunteer coordination to bring this project to fruition. This collaborative spirit underscores Bayer's commitment to making a positive impact in the communities where its employees live and work.

The Waianae garden is the first project under Bayer's Seeds of Hope initiative. Bayer will also be donating vegetable seeds to the Institute for Human Services (IHS) on Oahu and Big Brothers Big Sisters on Maui. This multifaceted approach demonstrates Bayer's commitment to supporting vulnerable populations across Hawaii and fostering sustainable, healthy communities.