The Green Heart Project unveils new Youth Internship Program to help teens develop workplace and life skills
December 9, 2019
The Green Heart Project, a local nonprofit focused on education, healthy food and community, has opened the application process for its inaugural Youth Internship Program for high school students. The program will complement the farm to school activities that will take place at its newest site, the ½ acre Urban Farm at Enston Home, which is currently under construction.
“The Youth Internship Program begins a new era of programs for the Green Heart Project. The summer internship will empower young people to cultivate their workplace and life skills as they help us manage our new Urban Farm,” said Jesse Blom, Green Heart’s executive director. “Throughout their learning process, the interns will be stewards of the community and of the environment through growing, eating, selling, and celebrating food.”
Located at the intersection of King and Huger streets in the Upper Peninsula of downtown Charleston, the Urban Farm at Enston Home is a partnership between The Green Heart Project and the Charleston Housing Authority. It fulfills the spirit of William Enston’s will by building a garden for its residents, while serving as an educational asset for surrounding schools.
A key pillar of the Urban Farm project is the creation of a Youth Internship Program including paid employment, workforce training, and skill-building for high school students, with a curriculum modeled after the success of The Food Project in Boston, MA, and other leading nonprofit organizations centered around involving youth in urban agriculture.
As part of an 8-week paid summer internship program starting June 15th, Green Heart’s Youth Internship participants will work on the farm while gaining knowledge and experience in:
- Workplace and leadership skills
- Health and wellness
- Food systems
- Financial literacy
- Business and entrepreneurship
- Mentorship of younger students
Those interested in applying may fill out an application online at www.greenheartsc.org/get-involved/ or by mailing it to 759 King Street, Suite A, Charleston, SC, 29403 by March 1, 2020. For more information, please email [email protected] or call 843.790.3188.
Half of the funds have been raised towards the project’s $2.1 million fundraising goal for the Urban Farm. Individuals and corporations are invited to learn more about how they can support the project at www.greenheartsc.org.
About Green Heart Project
Founded in 2009, the Green Heart Project is a 501c©3 non-profit organization that builds urban gardens and farm-to-school programs in the Charleston area. With a high value placed on health, education and community, the Green Heart Project pairs local volunteers with students to maintain school gardens while teaching academic standards and interpersonal skills. By doing so it looks to educate students and volunteers about healthy, local foods while fostering lasting relationships and building community. For more information on how to get involved, please visit their website at www.greenheartsc.org. Follow them on Instagram and Twitter (@GreenHeartCHS).
