Plant Seeds of Change
Help make The Fortress Gardens a reality. See how hands-on hard work and faith in Jesus Christ are transforming lives.
'Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.'
Galatians 6:9
Our Mission
The Fortress is a sanctuary where men in recovery rebuild their lives through faith in Jesus Christ. Through daily devotions, structured living, deep fellowship, and hands-on responsibility, seeds of transformation are planted within the brothers of this house.
Help us grow the vision for The Fortress Gardens: an innovative, sustainable community fellowship garden where men can learn practical skills, work with their hands, and witness the miracle of growth. By tending the earth, our residents cultivate more than a harvest; they nurture their own souls, discovering that with patience, care, and faith, life can bear fruit again.
The bounty from this garden will directly sustain The Fortress home, support local food shelves, and serve our neighbors in Willmar. Fresh, naturally grown, pesticide-free produce will help supplement meals for the men in the program while also giving residents the opportunity to give back to the community that supports them.
As the garden grows, our vision includes a booth at the local farmers market where residents can offer fresh produce, handmade goods, and custom-crafted hot sauces made from peppers grown right here at The Fortress. Proceeds will help offset the state-funded food budget for The Fortress Men’s Program, strengthen local food shelves, and support the ongoing care of our building and grounds. Any additional funds will help bless the next chapter of this mission: the upcoming Women’s Fortress in Kerkhoven, MN, a shelter designed to serve women and children, providing refuge and restoration for up to 14 families.
This is more than a garden. It is faith in action, recovery made visible, and a living testimony that what was once broken can grow, heal, and bear fruit again.
Support Our Growth
Help us cultivate a space of hope, purpose, and new life. Your financial contribution directly funds the seeds, soil, tools, equipment, and supplies needed to grow fresh, pesticide-free produce for The Fortress recovery home, local food shelves, and the greater Willmar community. Through hands-on work, shared fellowship, and faith in action, this garden will help restore purpose while providing practical support for those in need.
For your peace of mind, all donations made through this GoFundMe are sent directly to the nonprofit treasurer of The Fortress and are handled responsibly, ethically, and in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations. Donations are tax-deductible as allowed by law.
Together, we can plant more than a garden — we can help cultivate restoration, responsibility, and lasting hope.
.png)
Other Ways to Give
Prefer to give something tangible? We gladly welcome physical donations from anyone near The Fortress Gardens, including tools, seeds, soil, compost, starter plants, buckets, lumber, rain barrels, and other garden supplies.
You can also support the project by purchasing individual items from our Amazon Wishlist. It’s a simple way to choose exactly what you’d like to provide and see your gift go directly toward building the garden.
Every donated item helps us grow food, faith, fellowship, and second chances
