Growing Alliances is a small non-profit in Bellingham, WA whose mission is to "empower at-risk and foster youth through vocational opportunities in urban agriculture." Our goal is for our employees to leave our program better equipped with the skills, emotional maturity and network they need to meet their academic and/or career goals.
"In order to create... the next generation of engaged leaders, we have to give our next generation leadership opportunities." - Growing Alliances' Development Specialist
In June, 2017 we launched our pilot program with a small budget of $8,500. We employed 3 youth for 9 weeks to work in community gardens around Bellingham, WA while teaching the Work Skill & Personal Development and Food & Ag curricula 1.0
[Sterling Paz Garden Workday - July, 2017]
The pilot program resulted in the following outcomes, plus more:
Outcomes:
- One youth was interested in film making and computers, so we found him a film making mentor and employed him to shoot footage for the attached video. Within a month of leaving our program, this young man received a full-time job working with computers.
- Two youth were interested in money management, so they stayed late after work once a week to help us balance our budget and plan for 2018.
- Both youth employees showed growth in confidence and leadership skills.
- One of these employees was hired to be the Personal Assistant to our Executive Director at the end of the season.
"I feel like I'm at home when I'm at Growing Alliances. I feel like I'm with my 'farm fam'."
- Youth Employee
The major feedback we received from the community was to expand to reach more youth.
[Harvested for our November fundraiser - October, 2017]
What now?
Since our program ended in September, we have been focusing our efforts on expansion.
The primary changes we've made to encourage expansion are:
- Expanding the curriculum to cover six months of programming
- Creating a more comprehensive and structured curriculum
- Partnering with another local non-profit serving at-risk, Northwest Youth Services, to combine our garden programs and more fully utilize their land in downtown Bellingham. This land will be our home for the foreseeable future.
- Developing a strong volunteer administrative staff to support this expansion
- Raising money: AKA applying for grants and organizing fundraising events and online campaigns.
[Growing Alliances + Northwest Youth Services work party in our downtown location -January, 2018]
[Growing Alliances + Northwest Youth Services work party in our downtown location -January, 2018]
How can you help?
This winter, we have organized one fundraiser and applied for foundation grants and business sponsorships to raise money for the program and our other expenses. This has allowed us raise roughly $16,000, however more employees and increased hours means a larger budget for 2018.
In order to hire our first employees at the beginning of April, we must reach our goal of raising another $12,000
by April 1st. We do not want to hire the youth without the guarantee
that we can employ them for the entire season from April through the end
of August.
Since we are a young organization with little data on the success of our program, it is challenging to be competitive for city, state, federal and private foundation grants. This will change next year after two full seasons of data, photos, success stories, quotes, etc. Will you help us make lasting change in the lives of these youth and in our community?
"Many people who are already living on the streets... [who] have had to grow up way too fast... need to know that they're worth it!" - Growing Alliances' Development Specialist
Where will your money go?
- $25 - One meal's worth of ingredients for team meals
- $138 - One week of wages for one youth
- $432- One week of wages for whole team
- $580 - One Month of wages for one youth
- $1,728 - One month of wages for whole team
- $5,382 - Whole season of wages for one youth
Your donation will be going to empower our next generation of leaders!
[Creativity Workshop - August, 2017]
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[Tabling at Bellingham Arts and Music Festival - May, 2017]
[Sometime you've just got to get goofy - August, 2017]
[Harvested for our November fundraiser - October, 2017]
[September, 2017]
