Strength to Love II offers youth workforce development with Urban Youth in Agriculture Program (UYAP) which trains youth between the ages of 12-19 in urban agriculture. The project allows participants to address food insecurity, community development, leadership, economic development, and environmental stewardship while received a stipend.
Services:
The Urban Youth in Agriculture Program (UYAP) is a multifaceted program that focuses on the qualitative education and training of the participants. The program involves the following:
- Engage youth ages 12-19 year-round in farming activities including planting, growing, and harvesting produce
- Participants receive stipends to increase their job readiness skills through training and work on the Strength to Love II farm in West Baltimore
- Provide STEM based classroom and lab-based leaning in: Earth Sciences, Biology, Soil Ecology, Water Harvesting, Botany, and Conservation
- Provide participants with training in community economic development and learn entrepreneurship through the set-up and operation of a S2L2 Market Stand and selling produce at different markets in the city
- Provide participants to access to training in job skills such as: record keeping, customer service, accounting, urban agriculture, team building and entrepreneurship communication.
- Provide participants’ families with an allotted bi-weekly produce bags to ensure their families have access to fresh produce
Eligibility Requirements:
- 12-19 years old
- Currently enrolled in middle school or high school
- Live within a 2-mile radius of the farm (1855 Kavanaugh Street, Baltimore, MD 21217)
Past Workforce Development Programming
Strength to Love II started in 2016 in effort to support citizens returning to our Sandtown-Winchester community from incarceration. This population typically returns to the community without sufficient support to succeed in their life after prison. In 2019 we started a workforce development program for young adults ages 18-24 to provide paid job readiness training, industry certifications, and full-time job placement. By offering these opportunities we strive to help individuals learn job and life skills, find success and stability, and overcome the lack of opportunity in the community.
Services:
- Paid job readiness training (resume, cover letter, mock interviews)
- Paid training for an industry recognized professional certification
- Job placement and support
- Professional trade and college placement support
- Case management services (Career Planning and Coaching, Financial Literacy, Life Skills)
Eligibility Requirements:
- 18 – 24 Years Old
- High School Graduate or Seeking a GED
- Currently Unemployed
- Currently Out of School
- Made Less than $6,000 in Income Six Months Prior to Enrollment Date
Historical Performance Outcomes:
