GH Volunteer Update 7/12/06

Hi Everybody…

I hope you’re all having a great summer so far now that we’re right in the sticky middle of it. In the week or so since our last Volunteer Update there’s no doubt we’ve been keeping ourselves busy. This past week GH’s summer Roots & Shoots Youth Program (YEP) took off to a great start with some really great kids – A big thanks to those of you that have come out to volunteer with YEP! Out in the gardens things have been busy too …just this Tuesday the Chidester Community Gardeners along with YVC volunteers from the Ann Arbor YMCA put in the garden’s final raised bed and constructed some amazing new rain barrels to solve their water access problems. If you get a chance I encourage you all to take a look (330 Chidester St., Ypsilanti).

Going to A2’s Art Fair? Check below for another great reason to go!

If this is the first Growing Hope volunteer update you’re receiving –thanks so much for your interest and I hope you enjoy getting to hear about all the upcoming events and ways to participate. – See you out and about…

1. Roots & Shoots YEP Program – VOL. NEEDED
2. WMS Community Garden Workday – Sat. July 15th 10-2pm
- Special Projects -
3. Growing Hope joins ART FAIR Ann Arbor!!! – VOL. NEEDED
4. Downtown Ypsilanti Farmers’ Market Crew – Tuesday evening vol. shifts
5. Rain Barrel construction project – VOL. NEEDED

(***Please reply by emailing info@growinghope.net***)

1.Roots & Shoots Youth Entrepreneurial Program – Assistant Instructors NEEDED!
July 5 – Aug 26; Wednesdays 1-5 and Saturdays 10-2 (volunteer for one or both days / week)

Our goal for the Summer 2006 Youth Entrepreneurship Program is to teach youth valuable entrepreneurship skills, help youth to build confidence, gain leadership experience, learn gardening skills and most importantly have fun! This year’s program is geared for middle-school and high school-aged youth and will run from July 5th through August 30th, with
classes running every Saturday from 10am-2pm and Wednesdays from 1pm-5pm. Wednesday sessions will be focused on how to start and manage a business, including the who what where and why. Saturdays will be spent learning about marketing and selling at the Ypsilanti Farmers Market with Vendors and working in the Garden. We are looking for folks interested in acting as assistant instructors on both Wednesdays or Saturdays. Experience working with youth (especially
teens), experience with business planning or selling produce/flowers/etc. at market, or experience growing flowers for cutting are all valued in interested volunteers. However, if you haven’t had much experience but would love to dedicate some time to a great program and even greater kids – this is a perfect chance! Please reply ASAP by phone or email!!!

2. VOL. NEEDED
Garden Work Party @ WMS Community Garden – Saturday July 15
10-2pm

WMS Gardeners, friends and neighbors … don’t forget the garden Work Party this Saturday. (email bacolorj@ewashtenaw.org for more information)

--SPECIAL PROJECTS--

3. VOL. NEEDED
Growing Hope joins ART FAIR Ann Arbor!!!
July 19 - 22
10-8pm each day (see shifts below)

So you want to go to Art Fair …Not sure you want to brave the traffic, think you might keel over in the heat half way through – I don’t blame you. Why not Sign-up for a shift at the shady Growing Hope table – you’ll have one more reason to check out the fair and you’ll get a nice shady spot to take a break for a couple hours. Sign-up with a friend or staff the both with a GH staff or board member. We’ll be getting the word out, selling t-shirts, and letting everyone know about our great community
gardens and garden programs.

SIGN UP:
Wednesday 7/19 shifts: 9-11am , 11-1pm , 1-3pm , 3-5pm , 5-7pm , 7-9pm
Thursday 7/20 shifts: 9-11am , 11-1pm , 1-3pm , 3-5pm , 5-7pm , 7-9pm
Friday 7/19 shifts: 9-11am , 11-1pm , 1-3pm , 3-5pm , 5-7pm , 7-9pm
Saturday 7/19 shifts: 9-11am , 11-1pm , 1-3pm , 3-5pm , 5-7pm
(email Karen@growinghope.net to set a shift or for more information)

6. VOL. NEEDED
Downtown Ypsilanti Farmers’ Market Crew
Tuesday evenings June 6 – Sept. 26
Set-up, market staff, and breakdown … GREAT for groups!

Be part of The Market Crew – and help make something great possible!

The NEW Downtown Ypsilanti Farmer's Market – every Tuesday from June-September in the parking lot behind Key Bank on the corner of Michigan Ave and Hamilton. Local food, plants, local crafts, local products, and local fun! PLUS… The Market accepts credit/debit cards and EBT (food stamps)!

Market Crew shifts – SIGN-UP with your friends, family, or group!
(Set-up) 1:30 – 3:30
(Market Staff – kids tent, greeters, Growing Hope tablers etc.) 3 – 7
(Break-down) 7 – 8:30


7. VOL. NEEDED
Rain Barrel Construction Project for GH gardens
(your project = your schedule)

Know a lot about rain barrels or want to learn a lot more!?! If you missed the last project at the Chidester Garden no worries … many of our other gardens would also appreciate a rain barrel or two. If you’d like to take part in coordinating and planning this project – or if you’d just like the chance to construct a barrel or two please reply to Karen@growinghope.net to get started!

See you out and about...

Karen Summers MSW
Volunteer Coordinator
Growing Hope
734.786.8401