Giving Chicago youth a brave, safe space to explore urban farming, learn together, and develop skills for school, work, and life
Youth Corp
UGC’s Youth Corps teen job training program gives Chicago youth a brave, safe space to explore their interests, work collectively, share their talents, learn from one another, and develop skills for school, work, and life.
The Youth Corps program, in partnership with After School Matters, serves as both a job training experience and leadership development opportunity. During their time on our farms, Youth Corps ambassadors expand their understanding of urban farming, community food systems, and business development through a STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math) curriculum. It’s our goal that teens graduate with a comprehensive understanding of sustainable food system development and the ability to connect the skills gained at the farm to any career path.
Youth Corps is a PAID Opportunity! We are looking for CPS Students, ages 14-19 interested in learning more about farming, nutrition, science, culinary, and food justice.
Locations: South Chicago Farm
Program Schedule: 4:30 to 6 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays
Max Pay: $325 (must complete all hours to receive stipend)
Apply Online: afterschoolmatters.org/apply and search for Urban Growers Collective. Summer applications are live.
Questions or concerns: Contact us at youth@urbangrowerscollective.org or UGC office at (773) 376-8882
Curriculum
Our hands-on STEAM curriculum is centered around:
Growing organic vegetables, herbs, and flowers
Composting and prepping growing beds
Creating value-added products, such as teas and candles
Art-making with natural materials inspired by our environment
Learning to market and sell value-added products
Leading tours of our urban farms
To compliment hands-on instruction at the farm, Youth Corps ambassadors explore the science behind farming through several inquiry-based experiments. Teens also take part in nutrition, hunger, cooking, art, food justice, and food politics activities.
At our farms, our Youth Corps manage on-site farms 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.
Eligibility
In order to apply for our Youth Corps program, teens must be:
At least 14 years old and have graduated from 8th grade
Enrolled in CPS High School in the fall (unless the teen just graduated high school and has participated in After School Matters before)
A Chicago resident
