By PF Staff
info@purofutbolonline.com
Waukegan, IL.- The Roberti Community House held its annual open house on August 1, with over 100 people in attendance, celebrating the culmination of the Junior Green Youth Farm (JGYF) student summer program.
Attendees included Lisa May, Alderman 7th Ward, Lincolnshire Garden Club, Waukegan Fire Department, Waukegan and North Chicago Schools, Waukegan Park District, University of Illinois Extension Master Gardeners, Love INC of Lake County, Holy Family Food Pantry and many more.
The program’s design, objectives and curriculum are modeled from and supported by the Chicago Botanic Garden’s Windy City Harvest Green Youth program, whereby youth in underserved communities are trained as stewards of our land and with a working knowledge of organic farming.
In its sixth year of operation, the Roberti Community House program teaches middle school students how to grow and cook organic crops and the critical importance of eating nutrient dense food, especially in their home environment of a food desert.
Over the course of eight weeks, four field trips were made to various local farms and agricultural sites to extend learning to aquaponics, hydroponics and local food sourcing. Students have also become ambassadors for composting in an effort to decrease the amount of waste mummified in landfills.
The ultimate success of JGYF was hearing these well-educated, passionate students present at the Open House what they learned this summer with great eye contact and strong handshakes.
Furthermore, four of the graduates from the Roberti Community House program plan to apply for jobs next summer in the Chicago Botanic Garden’s Windy City Harvest Youth Farm at the Greenbelt Preserve. With the foundation and knowledge of JGYF, we can’t imagine any other high school students being more qualified.
Upcoming Events
Sewing September 10th
English August 28th
Food, Fun, and Friendship August 29th
Yoga September 4th
Afterschool Program September 4th
RCP Perspective Employers Luncheon September 21st
RCP Class 4 Graduation September 28th
Next RCP Class October 8th
