Seattle Youth Garden Works serves youth, ages 14-22, who are experiencing poverty, homelessness and other significant challenges that impact their ability to be adequately employed. Youth Garden Works empowers youth by providing job training in an innovative, entrepreneurial market gardening program that builds on a youth’s strengths. Youth grow organic produce from seed to fruit and sell the produce at local farmers’ markets, garden fairs, and to a small number of local restaurants.
Our two program sites are located in Seattle’s University District and South Park neighborhoods. Youth work 10-20 hours weekly after school hours, earning a wage and a share of the sales profits. The initial program lasts 12 weeks with a few youth continuing in leadership positions as Lead Youth Gardener for up to one year.
The Garden is a unique place to learn. Working with the earth is quiet and meditative, an important experience for urban and homeless youth who are often separated from nature.
Youths Graduate the Program With:
- Personal Empowerment. Building on their strengths and innate value, youth improve their self esteem, take leadership, receive validation, heal, connect with and give back to their communities, and envision a positive, hopeful future.
- Employment Skills. Youth gain essential skill including timeliness, conflict management, working with a supervisor; working on a team; resume writing, interviewing skills and decision-making.
- Business Skills. Entrepreneurship, retail and wholesale marketing, pricing, competition, record keeping, and business analysis are all part of our curriculum.
- Science Education. Youth learn and participate in the planting, tending, and harvesting of organic produce; soil chemistry; vermiculture and environmental responsibility.
- Personal Responsibility and Accountability. Through the gardening and marketing process, youth receive positive validation in growing a high quality, marketable product.
For more information about Seattle Youth Garden Works, click here or contact:
Seattle Youth Garden Works
5700 Sixth Avenue South, Suite 207
Seattle WA 98108
Phone: 206.632.0352
E-mail: admin@sygw.org
