Your financial help will enable us to expand earned income opportunities (including farm stand sales and sales to restaurants), which will provide meaningful employment experiences for our youth while earning revenue to support our programs and help us become more financially sustainable.
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Adolescents/Youth (13-19 years)
At-Risk Populations
Females
Males
Poor, Economically Disadvantaged, Indigent
This program focuses on building upon the job and life skills learned in earlier programs, through all aspects of developing and running a business.
2017 is the "launch year" for the Social Enterprise Program and, as such, our success are still yet to be seen. However, the students involved in this program have been successful in researching and producing a potential product (still in the testing stage) for market. They are learning about business planning, research, packaging, and marketing, all while developing valuable life and job skills.
Youth Development
Children ages 5 to 21
Disabled, General or Disability unspecified
Mentally/Emotionally Disabled
Poor/Economically Disadvantaged/Indigent
Year-round programming offered to local organizations and schools that serve similar populations. Topics addressed include gardening, cooking, environmental stewardship, and more.
"LYG continues to be a strong support for our young adults who are transitioning from school to the working world. We are grateful that we have been able to collaborate with this awesome organization to help our students further develop their skills and work towards their dreams!" ---Community Connections Coordinator
Youth Development
Children ages 5 to 21
Mentally/Emotionally Disabled
Physically Disabled
Poor/Economically Disadvantaged/Indigent
The Youth Gardening Program is a comprehensive summer program focused on education, vocational and life skill-building, environmental stewardship, and community volunteerism for at-risk and special needs teens. The program combines an outdoor experiential classroom and job site, drawing from Horticultural Therapy, Service-Learning and Character Education.
The curriculum emphasizes organic gardening practices and skills needed to lead healthy and productive lives. It includes an academic component of lessons/assignments, field trips and guest speakers.
The students grow produce for themselves and for low-income families. In 2016, 500+ lb. of vegetables was provided by the student gardeners. The donation of produce and involvement in service projects fosters pride, confidence, teamwork, self-esteem and engages participants in the community.
Youth Gardening Program was full with 15 students who put in a total of 2084 hours of work
• 100% of students reported growth in 5 of 6 critical skill categories, including communication, time management, attitude and behavior, participation, and working well with others.
• Since completion of the Youth Gardening Program, 86% of students felt they are more confident and responsible, have learned to work better in a group, and are better listeners. 86% reported more interest in gardening, and 71 % of participants reported being more active, having more patience, is a better leader, and speaking more comfortably in a group.
"I love the kindness of everyone... Most everyone in the program is nice to the garden and everyone who works here. Everyone creates such a friendly atmosphere. What I like about YGP is the fact that I get my own garden area to spend my time and to enjoy." -YGP student
Youth Development
Ethnic/Racial Minorities - General
Mentally/Emotionally Disabled
Physically Disabled
Poor/Economically Disadvantaged
Youth/Adolescents only (14 - 19 years)
Upon completion of the Youth Gardening Program, students may continue with the Leaf Out Gardening Program (2009). This 10-week summer internship for youth ages 16-21 is a next step, designed to further develop vocational and life skills in at-risk and special needs youth through service, education and maintenance of public garden spaces. In 2016, Leaf Out Gardening Program participants tended five gardens, three of which provided produce for low-income residents. Additionally, Leaf Out Gardening Program students are running their own "business" growing herbs to sell at local Farmers' Markets and to area restaurants.
The varied work sites and business components help the participants to further develop job/life skills such as: punctuality, flexibility, time management, teamwork and initiative.
Students who continue with the Leaf Out Gardening Program report that they further develop their job and life skills, obtain gainful employment and volunteer in the community.
Food, Agriculture & Nutrition
Aging/Elderly/Senior Citizens
Children and Youth (infants - 19 years.)
Poor/Economically Disadvantaged/Indigent
Plant a Row for the Hungry (PAR) is a national campaign that encourages people to grow extra garden produce for those in need in their communities.
In Loveland, individuals, families, churches, farmers and businesses partner with LYG to provide produce for the local food banks, House of Neighborly Service and Food Bank of Larimer County. Since its inception in 2005, Loveland PAR has provided 180,000+ pounds of produce for low-income people in our community.
Self-report from recipients of the produce.
Annually we request records from the House of Neighborly Services and the Food Bank, so we can measure the impact. As of 2018, almost 200,000 pounds of food have been donated!
