This past summer, Grow Jackson was thriving off energy as our interns dove into an experience that blended learning, community service, and professional development. From day one, our interns hit the ground running with a tour of our community gardens and their first financial literacy training, generously supported by TRUE Community Credit Union, the Jackson Community Foundation, and United Way of South Central Michigan.
Throughout the summer, our interns were busy teaching, gardening, and growing. They worked on gardens at Partial 2 Girls, Segue, and the King Center, alongside YPOP Explorers-Young People of Purpose, making a huge impact on the community. None of this would have been possible without the support of the Lavery Foundation, Diversified Engineering & Plastics, TRUE Community Credit Union, and Walton Insurance Group.
In addition to their work in the gardens, our interns also engaged in the Roots of Success Program, a curriculum that earned them a pre-apprenticeship in Environmental Literacy by the end of the summer. This program opened doors to dozens of job opportunities in the environmental sector. A highlight of the program was their visit to the City of Jackson’s Water Treatment Plant, where interns learned about careers dedicated to protecting and providing fresh water to the community.
We were also thrilled to host a lunch meeting with Senator Sue Shink, where our interns had the chance to dive into the community organizing process and the state budget. They left the meeting inspired and armed with new knowledge on how to make a difference in their own community.
As the summer progressed, our interns grew in knowledge, skills, and passion for community service. As sad as we are to see them go, we’re equally as excited to see where their journey takes them next!