Community Care in Action
Revitalizing a Schoolhouse. Expanding Access. Serving Our Community.
The Secret Garden Collective is revitalizing an abandoned elementary school in Oracle, Arizona to operate as a community-based education and service hub providing accessible programming in life skills, wellness, and onsite therapy services.
This project is designed to address documented service gaps in rural and semi-rural communities, where residents—particularly low- and moderate-income (LMI) households—face barriers related to cost, transportation, and limited local service availability.
A Schoolhouse Reimagined for Community Access
The Secret Garden Collective’s Schoolhouse Project transforms a long-vacant public building into a centralized, welcoming space for education, wellness, and support services—keeping resources local, affordable, and accessible.
Join the Community ⟶
Big Ideas,
Real Impact.
Built for Accessibility & Inclusion
This project includes new ADA-compliant accessibility features where none previously existed, ensuring the campus is welcoming and usable for:
Individuals with disabilities
Seniors and adults with mobility limitations
Families navigating accessibility challenges
These improvements directly support CDBG national objectives by ensuring that public benefits are accessible to protected and underserved populations—turning a once-inaccessible property into an inclusive community asset.
Serving Our Regional Communities
The Secret Garden Collective directly benefits residents within a 30–40 minute service radius, including:
San Manuel
Mammoth
Catalina
Saddlebrooke
Oracle and surrounding unincorporated areas
These communities include higher proportions of fixed-income households, working families, seniors, and children with limited access to affordable educational and therapeutic services.
What LMI Residents Gain
Our programs are intentionally designed to deliver measurable, direct benefits to low- and moderate-income households, including:
Affordable or subsidized community education
Life-skills training, wellness classes, and practical education for all ages.Onsite therapy and developmental services
Speech, occupational, and developmental services delivered by trusted partner providers in a familiar, community-based setting.Support for children and families
Including homeschooling families and ESA-participating households who face limited local resource options.Inclusive programs for seniors and adults
Skills training, social connection, and supportive services that promote independence and well-being.
Reaching Those Most Impacted
The Secret Garden Collective prioritizes intentional outreach to LMI households through:
Community partnerships and trusted referral networks
Open-access, public programming
Collaboration with local providers and educators
By keeping services centralized, accessible, and open to the public, the project advances equitable service delivery and strengthens the long-term resilience of our surrounding communities.
“Love that this abandoned school will have new life and bring amazing art, gardens and adventures to Oracle! I look forward to being a part of this creative space with an amazing vision. As a part time resident, I'm excited to have another place in Oracle that fits my life and vision for living.”
— Rene
