GH Volunteer Update 7/26/06

Hi Everybody…

The Art Fair is over – and I’d like to extend a BIG thanks to all of you that volunteered at our booth or even just stopped in to say hi. We stayed dry for most of the week – and hopefully shared a bit of what we do with a few more interested folks.

Again this week I’d like to extend a great big thank you to the Ann Arbor YMCA’s Youth Volunteer Corps for a great workday. Tuesday the 25th - 10 motivated YVC youth, two instructors, myself and a new volunteer descended upon one weedy Perry Learning Garden … and in a couple hours had made quite an improvement – (check out the GH blog for pictures later this week). If you’re part of a group that would like to take part in a similar project with Growing Hope please let us know!

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. Rec Park Garden Work Party – Aug. 12th 10-2pm
3. Ypsilanti Habitat for Humanity Community Garden Workday – Aug 12th 9-12
- Special Projects -
4. Downtown Ypsilanti Farmers’ Market Crew – Tuesday evening vol. shifts
5. Rain Barrel construction project – VOL. NEEDED
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(***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)

YEP is in full swing – and as student groups are getting ready to sell at market we are looking for additional hands to take part in all the excitement…
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 @ Rec Park Community Garden – Saturday Aug 12
10-2pm

Rec Park Gardeners, friends and neighbors … don’t forget the garden Work Party Aug. 12th (email wombbat@umich.edu for more information)

3. VOL. NEEDED
Ypsilanti Habitat for Humanity Community Garden Workday – Aug 12th
9-12 noon

The families of the Habitat for Humanity neighborhood located on the south side of Ypsilanti started their community garden after being part of Growing Hope’s Community Garden Development Institute this past Spring. They are asking for your volunteer support on August 12th as they make some improvements to their garden – they’ll be harvesting their first crops, planting some fall vegetables, maintaining their pathways with woodchips, and painting up some great new signs… They would love to have an experienced gardener or two to give them some much appreciated tips.
Please reply to info@growinghope.net

--SPECIAL PROJECTS--

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

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 – 8:00

4. 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!?! I am still looking for volunteers interested in taking part in this project…we’ve had some replies and I’d love to get a team together as we move forward.

I am looking for someone to price or collect the materials needed to create a rain barrel (spickets, connecting pieces etc.), as well as volunteers to be part of our construction team. We will be partnering with the ReUse Center of Ann Arbor and constructing some of the barrels at their 10th Anniversary Celebration – but you could also opt to construct a rain barrel on your own time and deliver it to one of our community gardens (maybe an idea for your boyscout or girlscout troop project).

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!