Glen Ellyn Garden Walk helps Bridge Communities

For six lush gardens in Glen Ellyn, summer is clearly the growing season for plants.

And as the homeowners open their gardens to visitors this weekend, they’ll be helping families grow stronger too.

The Glen Ellyn Garden Walk — featuring six local landscapes — benefits the Bridge Communities Transitional Housing Program, allowing homeless families to grow in their independence and self-sufficiency.

“It is an extensive mentoring, employment and education program,” said Amy Van Polen, Bridge Communities’ resource development director.

Exclusively serving families in DuPage County for 23 years, the program gives families a place to live in one of 15 apartment buildings in Addison, Carol Stream, Glen Ellyn, Glendale Heights, Naperville, Westmont and Woodridge. Families stay in the apartments an average of two years while they receive mentoring services including case management, employment counseling and education training to help them get back on their feet.

Bridge Communities serves just more than 100 families each year.

One of the co-founders’ wives is an avid gardener who founded the garden walk eight years ago with several friends who all continue to help organize the fundraiser, Van Polen said.

From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 18, visitors can tour the six elaborate gardens including an award-winning garden with more than 200 varieties of hostas, organic vegetable gardens, rock gardens, and a garden with water features. All are private residential gardens.

A landscape designer will give a presentation at one of the gardens, and several master gardeners from University of Illinois DuPage County Extension will be available so visitors can ask questions and get tips for their own gardens from the experts.

For those staying in Glen Ellyn for lunch, several restaurants will donate 15 percent of their proceeds to Bridge Communities: Glen Oak Restaurant, Tap House Grill, Honey, Santa Fe, Shannon’s Irish Pub and The Grill at Village Links.

Garden walk tickets can be purchased at bridgecommunities.org and at Glen Ellyn retailers McChesney and Miller Grocery and Market, Harris Bank, Just the Bookstore and WineStyles.

“This event is a wonderful tradition, deeply enjoyed by the community, and provides an opportunity to thank residents for supporting us,” Van Polen said.

If you go

What: Glen Ellyn Garden Walk, featuring six residential gardens

Why: Proceeds support Bridge Communities Transitional Housing Program

When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 18

Cost: $25 for adults, $15 for children 12 and younger

Info: bridgecommunities.org