Spring Jobs Available! Scroll below to find out more information.

Urban Growers Collective Youth Corps engages and employs over 300 youth annually throughout our urban farm sites. Our farms serve as a safe space for teens to explore their interests, work collectively, share their talents and learn from one another.  During their time spent on the farms, youth expand their understanding of many aspects of urban farming and community food system development.

Through hands on instruction, teens learn the technical skills essential for farming in an urban environment.  Teens grew organic vegetables, herbs and flowers and participate in all phases of farm production.  Teens learn to produce compost, prep growing beds, and how to identify, plant, harvest and market the vegetables growing at the farm.  They also assist with general farm tasks, pest management, site beautification and infrastructure development.  At many of our locations, youth also manage an onsite farm stand, increasing access to fresh, healthy, affordable produce for their community, and providing a window into the economic and entrepreneurial opportunities that exist within food system development.

In addition to hands on instruction at the farm, youth explore the science behind farming, through several inquiry-based experiments and take part in nutrition, hunger, cooking, art, food justice and food politics activities. This program aims to serve as both a job training experience and to encourage leadership development. It is our goal that teens graduate with a comprehensive understanding of sustainable food system development and the ability to connect and communicate how the skills they’ve gained at the farm translate to any career path they may follow.

Summer 2017 Snapshot of Success:

• 185 Teens successfully completed Summer Programming
• 5 new programs were added last summer
• 3 new program locations added (South Chicago, ComEd & Fresh Moves Mobile Market)
• New Advanced Leadership Opportunities for 12 returning youth
• All programs met or exceeded target enrollment
• Over $96,000 in stipends distributed to Chicago teens

For more information or any questions regarding our youth program, please contact:

• Lauralyn Clawson, Associate Director of Training Programs at 773.376.8882, or email lauralyn@urbangrowerscollective.org.

Summer Youth Jobs!

Come get your hands dirty at the farm and get PAID for all your hard work. You will learn how to build and maintain an urban farm; grow, harvest and cook fresh vegetables; gain career readiness skills; work with leading professionals; and contribute to your community!

Eligibility:
-Must be at least 14 years old and graduated from 8th grade
-Must be enrolled in CPS High School in the Fall (unless you just graduated high school and have participated in After School Matters before)
-Must be a Chicago resident

Altgeld Garden Community Farm Jobs
Location: Altgeld Garden Community Farm ~1130 E 132nd Street, Chicago IL
Dates: Tuesday, June 26th – Friday, August 3rd

Program Schedule: Tuesday-Friday, 8:30am-12:30pm (16 hours per week)
Max Pay: $420 (must complete all hours and attend all days to receive full stipend)

Apply Online: www.afterschoolmatters.org
Search for “Urban Growers Collective @ The Altgeld Garden Community Farm”

South Chicago Farm Jobs
Location: South Chicago Farm ~ 9000 S. Mackinaw Avenue, Chicago IL
Dates: Tuesday, June 26th – Friday, August 3rd
Program Schedule: Tuesday-Friday, 1:00-5:00pm (16 hours per week)
Max Pay: $420 (must complete all hours and attend all days to receive full stipend

Apply Online: www.afterschoolmatters.org
Search for “Urban Growers Collective @ The South Chicago Farm”

Roosevelt Square Community Youth Farm (2 programs)
Location: Roosevelt Square Farm, 1252 S Loomis, Chicago IL

Farm Apprenticeship Program:
Dates: Monday, June 25th – Thursday, August 2nd
Program Schedule: Monday-Thursday, 1:00-5:00pm (16 hours per week)
Max Pay: $420 (must complete all hours and attend all days to receive full stipend

Apply Online: www.afterschoolmatters.org
Search for “Urban Growers Collective @ The Roosevelt Square Community Youth Farm”

Food & Fitness Program:

Dates: Tuesday, June 26th – Friday, August 3rd
Program Schedule: Tuesday-Friday, 8:30am-12:30pm (16 hours per week)
Max Pay: $420 (must complete all hours and attend all days to receive full stipend

Apply Online: www.afterschoolmatters.org
Search for “Urban Growers Collective: Food & Fitness @ The Roosevelt Square Youth Farm”

Bridgeport ComEd Farm Jobs
Location: Bridgeport Art Center, 1200 W 35th Street, Chicago IL

Dates: Monday, June 25th – Friday, August 11th

Program Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:30am-12:30pm (20 hours per week)
Max Pay: $725 (must complete all hours and attend all days to receive full stipend

Apply Online: www.afterschoolmatters.org
Search for “Urban Growers Collective @ The Bridgeport Art Center”

Grant Park Urban Potager Farm Jobs (3 programs)
Location: Grant Park Farm (downtown – corner of Congress/Columbus), Chicago IL

Farm Apprenticeship:
Dates: Tuesday, June 26th – Friday, August 3rd

Program Schedule: Tuesday-Friday, 8:30am-12:30pm (16 hours per week)
Max Pay: $420 (must complete all hours and attend all days to receive full stipend

Apply Online: www.afterschoolmatters.org
Search for “Urban Growers Collective @ The Grant Park Urban Potager Farm Apprenticeship”

Advanced Apprenticeship:
Dates: Monday, June 25th – Friday, August 11th
Program Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:30am-12:30pm (20 hours per week)
Max Pay: $725 (must complete all hours and attend all days to receive full stipend

Apply Online: www.afterschoolmatters.org
Search for “Urban Growers Collective @ The Grant Park Urban Potager Farm Advanced Apprenticeship”

Farm Ambassadors:
Dates: Monday, June 25th – Friday, August 11th

Program Schedule: Monday-Friday, 1:00-5:00pm (20 hours per week)
Max Pay: $725 (must complete all hours and attend all days to receive full stipend

Apply Online: www.afterschoolmatters.org
Search for “Urban Growers Collective @ The Grant Park Urban Potager Farm Ambassadors”

Fresh Moves Internship (only 5 positions available)
Eligibility:
-Must be at least 16 years old
-Must be enrolled in CPS High School in the Fall (unless you just graduated high school and have participated in After School Matters before)
-Must be a Chicago resident

Location: This program will meet at different locations, participants must travel independently.
Dates: Tuesday, June 26th – Friday, August 3rd
Program Schedule: TBD (16 hours per week)

Max Pay: $8.25/hour