“Almost every group of students that come here say to me, ‘wow, I feel so much better mentally and physically after spending time in the garden.'”
YouthGrow is an 8-week, hands-on horticulture program run by YouthCare in partnership with Seattle Public Schools Interagency Academy. Students who often have a difficult time in a traditional classroom setting have the opportunity to earn high school science credits while learning the art of gardening, harvesting, selling produce, and job readiness.
During spring and summer, students harvest and sell their produce at the Columbia City Farmer’s Market with all proceeds going back toward the program. The program also includes weekly farm-to-table communal meals, with the leftovers going to Rainier Valley Food Bank and YouthCare’s South Seattle Youth Center.
YouthGrow is a popular program with young people that provides an opportunity to pause and recenter while learning practical job and gardening skills and earning school credit. Take a look behind the scenes at YouthGrow’s beautiful garden!
To learn more about the program, visit here.
To hire a YouthGrow graduate, visit here.