About The GreenHouse

Imagine growing up across the street from a park that is too dangerous to play in...or sharing a three-bedroom apartment with nine people...or not having books, school supplies, or a quiet place to do homework.

These are the harsh realities for the more than 550 youth living across the street from Niños Park in Sacramento. The needs of this low-income neighborhood are obvious: generations of poverty, addiction, oppression, and crime have left families feeling hopeless and forgotten.

Drawn to serve this community, some volunteers from Sanctuary Covenant Church began going to Niños Park on the weekends to play games and build relationships with kids and their parents. After hearing their stories and seeing their potential, these volunteers began to dream about a place that could represent health, hope, and renewal for this community.

This dream became reality in July 2002 when The GreenHouse was born. The GreenHouse is a Christian Community Enrichment Center that was formed to help unlock the inherent resources of this neighborhood and transform it from one that is merely surviving into one that is thriving. By providing families with opportunities for education, artistic expression, fitness, and spiritual growth, The GreenHouse is nurturing the seeds of renewal in this community.

Programs for Children

Evergreen, an after-school tutoring and enrichment program, provides 30 first through sixth graders with a safe, fun, and nurturing environment to do homework, improve academic skills, and participate in recreational activities. Children are paired with an adult volunteer, “Study Buddy,” who helps them with homework and develops a mentoring relationship with them.

Adventure Zone provides 40 kids with an eight-week summer day camp. This program, ran in collaboration with the City of Sacramento, provides recreation, crafts, and field trips to kids in the summertime. Volunteer “Adventure Guides” assist kids with activities.

Programs for Teens

Oasis, an evening youth group, offers teens a place of refuge in the middle of their week where they can hang out with friends, play games, learn about God, and be mentored by caring adult volunteers.

Club 180, an after-school program for junior and senior high students, provides youth with a one-on-one volunteer tutor who helps them with homework and mentors them. Students also improve academic skills through computer-based curriculum.

Sports for Life provides affordable, positive sports participation and life skills training for youth. Three on three basketball tournaments and soccer clinics are held periodically throughout the year.

Programs for Familes

The Harvest Carnival is an annual event for families in our neighborhood. A pumpkin patch, bounce house, barbeque, face painting, games, and crafts make this fun-filled environment to meet families and invite them to participate in our programs.

Melvin’s Hope Christmas Project provides kids in our neighborhood with a new pair of shoes and a new toy at Christmas time. Sponsors throughout the community buy the gifts and have an opportunity to deliver the gifts in person.