COMMUNITY EDUCATION
ALL IT TAKES IS A SINGLE SEED TO START A REVOLUTION
Westwood is the youngest neighborhood in Denver, with 39% of residents under the age of 18 with the city neighborhood average being 21%. Which is why youth education is central to our food hub work. Food justice, nutrition and life skills are the focus of our youth education programs with curriculums designed specifically for Westwood’s Latino youth to build residents’ access to healthy food, mental health and the local economy. Our suite of youth education programs are designed to act as a pipeline that advances youth from one program to the next, helping neighborhood youth (our semillas) grow.
SEEDS OF TOMORROW
Implemented at our Family Gardens home visits, families with children aged 5-18 receive eight bilingual STEM and nutrition classes for their own backyards, establishing successful home gardens and including physical and mental health check-ins.
SEMILLAS DE MAÑANA
During the non-growing season, families and youth learn food preservation practices and culturally relevant cooking techniques to extend food security into the winter months.
SEMILLAS DE INVIERNO
SEEDS OF WINTER
SEEDS OF HOPE
SEMILLAS DE AGUA
Westwood youth aged 16-18 study hydroponic farming in a workforce apprenticeship program at our on-site converted shipping container we call “La Caja Verde.” Throughout this 9-month curriculum, students learn about indigenous Aztec aquaponics, food sovereignty, racial equity in agriculture, sustainability as climate justice, and more.
SEEDS OF WATER
Neighborhood youth spend the summer learning about food systems and food justice, nutrition and developing positive relationships with our team and each other to counter negative influences and temptations.
SEMILLAS DE ESPERANZA
Chef Edwin Sandoval offers culinary workforce training to youth ages 12-18, preparing Latin-inspired healthy meals for their families. The program emphasizes sourcing wholesome ingredients and teaches them to use their purchasing power in Westwood.
