In partnership with Catholic Charities and the City of Santa Rosa, Social Advocates for Youth recently took over the management and maintenance of the Sunflower Community Garden. When the City approached SAY about taking over the garden this year, our Youth Employment Center leapt at the opportunity to take on a project that could employ at-risk youth and help them learn valuable job skills.
With funding from the City of Santa Rosa, The Sunflower Garden now employs three youth and one supervisor to work in the garden four days a week. A first job for most of the youth, they are learning about more than just what it feels like to get that first paycheck; their work the garden is teaching them about sustainability, food production, and how good it feels to be able to provide for others—all of the food they grow is dropped off at the Catholic Charities homeless shelter across the street from the garden.
For now, the joint venture between the City of Santa Rosa and SAY is a pilot program, with funding secure until September, but all of us at SAY are hoping that the funding will come through for the upcoming winter produce season, and we’re looking forward to many bountiful harvests!
The Press Democrat featured the Sunflower Garden last week, you can read the story, and check out their photo gallery here.
Before the youth got started working on the project, we went out and took some before photos of the garden, check them out below:
The Sunflower Garden is located at 7th and A street in downtown Santa Rosa. SAY is currently seeking farmers and master gardeners interested in helping to mentor and educate our youth in sustainability and best practices. If you’re interested in getting involved, please contact Toni Abraham or Jennifer Green at 707-544-3299 x 227.
