TEEN PROGRAMS

Teen Leadership Program

Growing Hope’s Teen Leadership Program cultivates young food justice leaders in Ypsilanti by developing skills and knowledge in sustainable farming, healthy eating, education, and community organizing. These skills are gained through our year-round summer and after school programs.

This is a paid opportunity open to all high school aged youth who live in Ypsilanti and the surrounding townships. Youth are paid $13/hour for their work.  

Join our Summer Program! 

Applications for the 2022 teen program are closed. 

In our Summer Program, Teen Crew Members spend 8 weeks working on our Urban Farm and in community gardens while dedicating their afternoons to workshops in  sustainable agriculture, healthy eating, food justice, and professional development. Youth will build community amongst themselves and their neighbors while developing skills to change our food system.

Program dates are June 20th – August 11th, Monday – Thursday, 9 am – 2:30 pm. Crew Members are paid $13/hour and receive free weekly produce bags. Youth must have completed 9th grade and cannot miss more than 4 days over the summer to be eligible.

Feel free to reach out to our Teen & Schools Manager, Cassandra Van Dam, with any questions at [email protected].

Continue in our After School Program!

During the school year, Crew Members continue in our After School Program. Youth deepen their understanding of food justice, plan and maintain a part of the Urban Farm, and lead community gardening and cooking workshops. Crew Members will learn and practice leadership skills like public speaking, group facilitation, and community asset mapping.

After School program dates are September – May, Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday from 4-6 pm. Teens are paid $13/hour and receive free weekly produce bags (during the growing season). Youth must have completed the Summer Program in good standing and cannot miss more than 3 days per month over the school year to be eligible for this program.