Growing Together: Cultivating Inclusivity in Our Community Garden

Source: Akoma Unity Center

Research tells us that young people’s connection to the outdoors and nature contributes to their healthy development. This connection can be promoted by involving youth in gardening. We will post several LIAS Blogs on the topic of gardening in afterschool. Below we offer a guest blog from Akoma Unity Center on their community garden project. (Note: Our series of blog posts on gardening in afterschool are excerpts from a larger briefing paper entitled, Gardening in Afterschool Programs.) 

Growing Together: Cultivating Inclusivity in Our Community Garden

By Guest blogger Akoma Unity Center. (This blog was originally published on Akoma Unity Center.)

Introduction

In a fast-paced world, finding a tranquil oasis where individuals of all ages and backgrounds can come together and connect with nature is a rare gem. Our community garden, nestled in the heart of the city, is precisely that and so much more. Beyond being a sanctuary for plant enthusiasts, it is a thriving hub that celebrates diversity, fosters collaboration, and cherishes the spirit of shared learning. In this blog post, we invite you to explore how our community garden has blossomed into a truly inclusive space, embracing everyone, regardless of their age, background, or gardening experience.

Cultivating Diversity

Step foot into our community garden, and you’ll witness a vibrant tapestry of faces and stories from various walks of life. We take immense pride in providing an open-armed welcome to individuals of all ages, backgrounds, and levels of gardening expertise. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or a complete novice, you’ll find yourself embraced by a warm and supportive community.

Source: Akoma Unity Center

The Power of Collaboration

At the heart of our community garden lies the essence of collaboration. Here, gardeners don’t just tend to their own plots; they work together, exchange ideas, and lend a helping hand. It’s a place where experienced green thumbs generously share their knowledge with beginners, fostering an environment of growth and camaraderie. Through joint efforts, we not only cultivate beautiful blooms and delicious produce but also cultivate lasting friendships.

Respect and Understanding

Respect is the cornerstone of our garden’s culture. We celebrate the uniqueness of each individual, understanding that our diverse backgrounds enrich our collective experience. Here, conversations flow freely, and perspectives are exchanged with an open mind. We learn from one another, breaking down barriers and building bridges of understanding that transcend age, culture, and language.

Source: Akoma Unity Center

Learning Together

Our community garden is more than just a place to dig in the dirt; it’s a haven of continuous learning. Seasoned horticulturists share their wisdom through workshops and tutorials, while young enthusiasts infuse the space with fresh ideas and innovations. Together, we explore sustainable gardening practices, experiment with new crops, and embrace the ever-evolving world of horticulture.

An Inclusive Space for All

As the sun sets behind the horizon, casting a golden glow on our bountiful garden, the sense of belonging is palpable. Children play, elders share stories, and friendships blossom across generations. Our community garden is a testament to the power of inclusivity, where the simple act of planting seeds cultivates a sense of togetherness.

Conclusion

Our community garden stands as a living testament to the beauty of embracing diversity and nurturing an inclusive space. It is a place where laughter reverberates, friendships flourish, and a shared passion for nature unites us all. As we invite you to step into this blossoming sanctuary, we extend an open invitation to everyone, welcoming you to become a part of our green family. Together, let’s continue sowing the seeds of inclusivity, respect, and shared learning in the fertile soil of our community garden.

MORE ABOUT…

Akoma Unity Center (AUC) is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit, grassroots organization committed to the progress of African American youth, families, and communities. Akoma’s programs and services are specifically designed to meet the needs of historically excluded African American youth and communities. Programs include; Afterschool Program, Summer Day Camp, SOUL FOOD Community Dinner Night, male mentoring program, Rites of Passage, Advocacy for youth of color, STEAM Fair- Back to School Giveaway and Toy/Coat giveaway.

At Akoma Unity Center, the unwavering mission is to educate, heal, and transform historically excluded communities of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC). They are dedicated to creating a more equitable and just society by organizing individuals, cultivating healthy families, and empowering communities to overcome systemic barriers. Through their comprehensive programs and initiatives, they strive to foster holistic healing, educational empowerment, and economic opportunities. By addressing the unique challenges faced by BIPOC communities, they aim to dismantle inequities, uplift voices, and create sustainable change.

 

Addressing COVID Isolation: Get Kids Moving! (Part 2)

Source: A World Fit For Kids

By Sam Piha

Research suggests that physical activity and outdoor education can help young people recover from isolation and fear experienced due to the COVID pandemic. In this blog, we continue with our interviews with youth development experts, Ed Center from The Village Well and Brad Lupien and Bob Lund from ARC Experience.

“Adolescents coming of age during the pandemic have experienced social “learning loss,” and will need remedial support in social, not just academic, development, …. And at a time when recess and physical education programs may feel a squeeze from schools seeking more time for reading or math, studies suggest boosting students’ physical activity time also has an important role. It may help students rebound from the social isolation many have experienced during the pandemic.” - Sarah D. Sparks, Kids Are Feeling Isolated. P.E. May Help Them Bounce Back

Q: What are some physical activities you would recommend for youth in afterschool? 

Ed- The most important thing is to offer a range of free or low-cost opportunities for different types of activity. I'm surprised that our culture still labels children as athletic or not based on just two factors: speed and coordination. If you can get to the ball first and do something cool with the ball, you are athletic. What about those who can run for miles, who find joy in the wilderness, who want to lean into their flexibility, who harbor hip-hop, half-pipe, or pirouette dreams? 

Generally, after school programs do a decent job of exposing kids to different activities to explore interests and passions. My criticism is that public schools and afterschool programs usually fail to take the next step, giving youth opportunities to pursue those passions through deep engagement and mastery. Our programs offer the six-week karate enrichment options, but how do we support the kid who finds a calling and wants to go further? We chose our local park and recreation after school program for our kindergarteners because of the diversity of the students, and because they practice tennis every day (shoutout to Tennis Learning Center in San Francisco).

Brad and Bob- The simplest way to get students moving is to have them play. Offering opportunities to play games that don’t just reward the tallest or strongest students will encourage more participation rather than limiting it to the best athletes. From an outdoor perspective, introducing students to new challenges and experiences in a low-risk, low-pressure environment allows us to meet students where they are. On the simplest end, a simple hike to a new destination gets kids out and moving (and away from their phones). If resources allow, geocaching, kayaking, bike riding and rock climbing are all wonderful ways to encourage students to push their own boundaries, to explore their communities and to build their self-confidence, along with their physical strength.

Source: www.pexels.com

Q: Are there any resources that afterschool leaders can use to develop physical activities for youth? Would you advise any training for staff and coaches?

Ed- The resources are already there in the community. The key is to provide program staff with time, flexible resources, and training in partnership development. Someone has a cousin who is passionate about West African dance and would love to bring that to the students. That person should be paid for their time and given a small budget for supplies or field trips. Let's stop the scarcity and tireless hustle mentality.

Brad and Bob- Many of us in education get caught up on the idea of having the right “gear” as the reason that we deliver boring physical activities, as if the equipment is what makes games fun. Many students are reluctant to try something new out of fear of failure, so training staff to encourage effort and participation, not just results is huge, as it builds an environment where all are welcome, not just the best athletes. Your staff can be your greatest asset in that they can leverage their existing relationships with students to get them to try something new and to push themselves—just a bit—out of their comfort zones. In that same vein, if staff are playing too, they will have more fun and you’ll see a sizeable increase in student participation as they can both more actively manage the game as well as provide behavioral role models for the activity.

MORE ABOUT...

Ed Center

Ed Center is a queer brown dad who coaches parents and other kid-raisers toward greater connection, calm, and joy. Ed worked in education for 25 years, starting as a high school teacher, always focused on the needs of kids of color. During the height of the pandemic, Ed’s son suffered an acute mental health crisis. Searching for support, Ed discovered the field of positive parenting and learned strategies and tools to strengthen his connection with his son, leading to healing for the whole family. However, Ed was frustrated with the lack of attention to diverse cultures and traditions in the positive parenting courses and literature, as well as a dearth of focus on healing trauma in children and parents. He started to bring more connection, joy, and healing to families of color. The child of a Filipino American mother and White-American father, Ed grew up in Hawai’i, and feels at home there, in the Philippines, in San Francisco, and wherever he smells good barbecue. The Village Well, which Ed founded, focuses on an approach to parenting that starts with your own wellness and healing and moves to building more connection and meaning with your family. They offer culturally grounded support that honors your unique family.

Brad Lupien

Brad Lupien is President & CEO of ARC Experience. His career began as a teacher and social worker in the juvenile justice system and as a special education teacher in Boston, MA. He taught middle and high school young people identified as having behavioral and emotional disabilities. To address his students’ multiple risks, Brad began an afterschool Outdoor Education Club for his gang-involved students. He modeled the method after his experience serving as a summer guide for teens, leading month-long adventures in the Rocky Mountains. Previous board roles include Interfaith Family, Learning in After School & Summer (LIAS) Region 11 Workforce Advisory Group, the youth Take Action Campaign, San Diego Education Synergy Project. Lupien is a team member of the Policy Committee for California Expanded Learning Division (EXLD) of the California Department of Education and a Steering Committee member of the California Afterschool Advocacy Alliance (CA3). Lupien was recently appointed by California Senator Pro Tem Toni Atkins to the Governor’s California Before- and After-School Advisory Board.

Bob Lund

Bob Lund is the Director of Outdoor Education Programs at ARC Experience. Growing up in Long Beach, Bob was fortunate to have had many opportunities to appreciate the outdoors from an early age. Because of his family’s frequent camping and off-roading trips as a child, he was well suited for taking on a variety of staff roles at summer camp including high adventure, aquatics, and in camp administration. His natural leadership abilities and affinity for outdoor adventures drew him to join the Boy Scouts at a young age and he achieved the rank of Eagle Scout in 2001. Bob spent his career working with high schoolers with special needs and delivering exceptional enrichment programs to students of all abilities throughout the Pacific Southwest.

ARC Experience is an award-winning, nationally recognized organization running afterschool and experiential education programs for the past 20 years in communities throughout California. They provide afterschool, outdoor, enrichment, and leadership development to elementary, middle, and high school students as well as college students and professionals.

UPCOMING WEBINARS:

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This webinar will dive into the habits, tools, and techniques that help both you and your kiddos stay regulated. We’ll cover:

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To learn more and register, click here.

Play comes natural to kids and to out-of-school time educators! Research across youth development and education fields have identified principles that define playful learning and the positive youth outcomes that can come from intentional play. In this webinar, we will explore this topic and learn about free resources you can use to incorporate high-quality playful learning opportunities into your programs and how to advocate for more play in the lives of children. To learn more and register, click here.