Keeping Grounded Greenhouse Summer Internship Program is in Full Bloom!
Hello! The last few weeks at the greenhouse have been amazing. Despite all of the challenges that life has thrown at us right now, we are so fortunate to still have our summer employment program and a chance to keep teens working with our greenhouse internships.
What does a typical week at the greenhouse look like?
The greenhouse program is Monday through Friday from 9am-2pm at Herban Produce. Monday through Thursday the kids have morning horticulture curriculum, followed by hands-on gardening and greenhouse work. Fridays are reserved for special workshops and visitors, as well as much needed trauma support services.
Highlights so far include harvesting the goodness we are growing each week, meditation classes with Marshawn-founder of ACT Yoga, a "personal branding" workshop with marketer Eric Prado, a "money smart" workshop with Anthony and Jennifer at Wintrust, a "college and career goals" session with Peter from Collegian Group, and a "how to tell your story" workshop with Tanner, Lauren and the good folks at Design Museum of Chicago.
We’d like to give a special shoutout to Herban Produce. Alicia, Kim and the entire Herban team have been wonderful partners this summer and we couldn't have made this happen without your dedication and support!
Thank you to Cat Footwear and Garden Freak for the awesome garden gear you've donated to help make hours in the dirt a little easier. Finally, thanks to all of the generous souls who have made and delivered lunches everyday for the kids so that they don't have to worry about meals. It really does take a village, and we truly value our support system.
“I’m from the west side of Chicago. One For One means to me a bonding experience, friendship and learning many new things.”
As you know, this is not going to be a "typical" fundraising year for us due to the pandemic. But we need your generous support to keep our teens employed and engaged! They are doing incredible work and getting much needed positive experiences and support services.
We ask that you continue to be a part of making that happen by donating what you can. Your dollars truly make a difference in the lives of Chicago youth living in communities with high rates of violent crime and joblessness.