Monday, October 30, 2006

Come work for us!

Hi all-- we're doing one more VISTA hire for a February start date-- read on below for more info!

National Service AmeriCorps*VISTA Position

At Growing Hope in Ypsilanti, Michigan
Make a difference in your community through community & school gardening

POSITION OVERVIEW:

Growing Hope is currently recruiting a Youth & Education Coordinator VISTA position for a 12-month term of service, to begin in February 2007 and serve until February 2008. Growing Hope is a community-based nonprofit organization whose mission is to help people improve their lives and communities through gardening. Through a community capacity-building approach, we work in partnership with low-income schools, community groups, and agencies to help people gain the skills, resources, and support needed to develop and sustain school & community gardens and garden-based programming. Applications due November 27th, but earlier submissions are strongly encouraged!

All VISTA members at Growing Hope work to help to enhance local environments by strengthening food security, improving health & nutrition, and providing educational opportunities to low-income community members throughout Washtenaw County through different roles in the organization. VISTA members will work to increase Growing Hope’s organizational capacity by developing program models, partnerships, training, and resources that support school & community gardening.

Qualified candidates for any positions at Growing Hope exhibit the following:

O Desire and experience in effectively communicating with all types of individuals and groups.

O Experience or desire to gain knowledge of-and assist in disseminating information about organic gardening, nutrition, sustainability, and community food systems.

O Desire to encourage local community members to share ideas, talents and resources.

O Excellent verbal and written communication skills

O Strong organizational and management skills, including excellent follow-through.

O Willingness to know more about and respond to needs of communities and schools.

O Flexibility to work non-traditional hours, including some evening and weekends as scheduled

O Desire and ability to work both as part of a team and individually.

O Experience in coordinating and leading teams.

O Willingness to see projects through—from developing to implementing to evaluating.

O Ability to juggle multiple projects simultaneously

O Comfort in use of computers and technology on a daily basis

O Willingness to adapt to changing organizational conditions and extremely limited resources.

O Creativity, flexibility, resourcefulness and positive thinking.

DESCRIPTION & DUTIES OF YOUTH & EDUCATION COORDINATOR

Working directly with schools throughout Washtenaw County to develop and maintain greenhouses and/or school gardens, this VISTA volunteer will facilitate classroom involvement, support after-school activities, and help build the partnerships and teams in the schools to sustain these structures over the long term. S/he will also play a leadership role in organizing our School Garden Resource Initiative, strengthening a school garden network, and developing trainings & resources for school gardens throughout the county. This VISTA volunteer will also coordinate Roots & Shoots, after-school and summer entrepreneurial garden program for youth, including developing relationships with youth-serving organizations to become program partners. This VISTA volunteer should have a love for and experience working with youth and youth-serving adults in a variety of settings (including public schools), and a working knowledge of gardening and/or greenhouse production skills.

Responsibilities include:

· Work directly with teachers, administrators, students and high school interns in garden & greenhouse development and maintenance planning

· At some sites, help to assemble and maintain diverse school teams including parents, teachers, volunteers, and administrators

· Organize, facilitate, and evaluate garden/greenhouse programs

· Identify training and support needed among school and youth populations;

· Teach skills in gardening, greenhouses, food systems and related topics to youth & youth-serving adults

· Identify and work with partner organizations serving youth and schools; design and facilitate garden-based program models (after-school and summer) with these partners.

· Assist in development of school and youth garden resource guide and lending library materials

· Assist in development of youth volunteer opportunities and internship program

· Help facilitate regional & statewide networks of school gardens

· Assist in documenting and evaluating programs

· Assist in fundraising


TO APPLY:
Please submit a resume, 1-2 page letter describing your interests and qualifications, and contact information for 3 references to be received by November 27, 2006. Electronic applications encouraged; please email (as attachments) to Executive Director Amanda Edmonds at amanda@growinghope.net. If mailing, please send materials to Amanda Edmonds, Growing Hope, PO BOX 980129, Ypsilanti, MI, 48198, or drop off at our office at 32 North Washington, Suite 11, Ypsilanti, MI 48197. After receiving materials, applicants may be asked to complete additional application materials and be available for interviewing. We may begin interviewing some applicants as soon as materials are received, and encourage materials to be submitted early.


BENEFITS FOR ALL VISTA MEMBERS

O Monthly Stipend of $888.00

O Medical Insurance

O Child care assistance, if needed

O Educational ($4,725) or cash award ($1,200) at end of term

O Training before and during service term; Opportunities to build resume


EXPECTATION OF SERVICE
AmeriCorps*VISTA members serve full-time, for one year with varying work schedules. Educational award is only available to those who complete their term, unless extenuating circumstances exist. VISTA members are not allowed to be in school or have other employment during their term of service. VISTA members may be eligible for Food Stamps or other forms of public assistance.

QUESTIONS?
More information about Growing Hope is available at www.growinghope.net. More information about VISTA and other Corporation for National and Community Service programs, see http://www.cns.gov/. Additional questions about Growing Hope or these positions, please call us at 734-786-8401 or email Amanda Edmonds at amanda@growinghope.net.

Come work for us!

Hi all-- we're doing one more VISTA hire for a February start date-- read on below for more info!

National Service AmeriCorps*VISTA Position

At Growing Hope in Ypsilanti, Michigan
Make a difference in your community through community & school gardening

POSITION OVERVIEW:

Growing Hope is currently recruiting a Youth & Education Coordinator VISTA position for a 12-month term of service, to begin in February 2007 and serve until February 2008. Growing Hope is a community-based nonprofit organization whose mission is to help people improve their lives and communities through gardening. Through a community capacity-building approach, we work in partnership with low-income schools, community groups, and agencies to help people gain the skills, resources, and support needed to develop and sustain school & community gardens and garden-based programming. Applications due November 27th, but earlier submissions are strongly encouraged!

All VISTA members at Growing Hope work to help to enhance local environments by strengthening food security, improving health & nutrition, and providing educational opportunities to low-income community members throughout Washtenaw County through different roles in the organization. VISTA members will work to increase Growing Hope’s organizational capacity by developing program models, partnerships, training, and resources that support school & community gardening.

Qualified candidates for any positions at Growing Hope exhibit the following:

O Desire and experience in effectively communicating with all types of individuals and groups.

O Experience or desire to gain knowledge of-and assist in disseminating information about organic gardening, nutrition, sustainability, and community food systems.

O Desire to encourage local community members to share ideas, talents and resources.

O Excellent verbal and written communication skills

O Strong organizational and management skills, including excellent follow-through.

O Willingness to know more about and respond to needs of communities and schools.

O Flexibility to work non-traditional hours, including some evening and weekends as scheduled

O Desire and ability to work both as part of a team and individually.

O Experience in coordinating and leading teams.

O Willingness to see projects through—from developing to implementing to evaluating.

O Ability to juggle multiple projects simultaneously

O Comfort in use of computers and technology on a daily basis

O Willingness to adapt to changing organizational conditions and extremely limited resources.

O Creativity, flexibility, resourcefulness and positive thinking.

DESCRIPTION & DUTIES OF YOUTH & EDUCATION COORDINATOR

Working directly with schools throughout Washtenaw County to develop and maintain greenhouses and/or school gardens, this VISTA volunteer will facilitate classroom involvement, support after-school activities, and help build the partnerships and teams in the schools to sustain these structures over the long term. S/he will also play a leadership role in organizing our School Garden Resource Initiative, strengthening a school garden network, and developing trainings & resources for school gardens throughout the county. This VISTA volunteer will also coordinate Roots & Shoots, after-school and summer entrepreneurial garden program for youth, including developing relationships with youth-serving organizations to become program partners. This VISTA volunteer should have a love for and experience working with youth and youth-serving adults in a variety of settings (including public schools), and a working knowledge of gardening and/or greenhouse production skills.

Responsibilities include:

· Work directly with teachers, administrators, students and high school interns in garden & greenhouse development and maintenance planning

· At some sites, help to assemble and maintain diverse school teams including parents, teachers, volunteers, and administrators

· Organize, facilitate, and evaluate garden/greenhouse programs

· Identify training and support needed among school and youth populations;

· Teach skills in gardening, greenhouses, food systems and related topics to youth & youth-serving adults

· Identify and work with partner organizations serving youth and schools; design and facilitate garden-based program models (after-school and summer) with these partners.

· Assist in development of school and youth garden resource guide and lending library materials

· Assist in development of youth volunteer opportunities and internship program

· Help facilitate regional & statewide networks of school gardens

· Assist in documenting and evaluating programs

· Assist in fundraising


TO APPLY:
Please submit a resume, 1-2 page letter describing your interests and qualifications, and contact information for 3 references to be received by November 27, 2006. Electronic applications encouraged; please email (as attachments) to Executive Director Amanda Edmonds at amanda@growinghope.net. If mailing, please send materials to Amanda Edmonds, Growing Hope, PO BOX 980129, Ypsilanti, MI, 48198, or drop off at our office at 32 North Washington, Suite 11, Ypsilanti, MI 48197. After receiving materials, applicants may be asked to complete additional application materials and be available for interviewing. We may begin interviewing some applicants as soon as materials are received, and encourage materials to be submitted early.


BENEFITS FOR ALL VISTA MEMBERS

O Monthly Stipend of $888.00

O Medical Insurance

O Child care assistance, if needed

O Educational ($4,725) or cash award ($1,200) at end of term

O Training before and during service term; Opportunities to build resume


EXPECTATION OF SERVICE
AmeriCorps*VISTA members serve full-time, for one year with varying work schedules. Educational award is only available to those who complete their term, unless extenuating circumstances exist. VISTA members are not allowed to be in school or have other employment during their term of service. VISTA members may be eligible for Food Stamps or other forms of public assistance.

QUESTIONS?
More information about Growing Hope is available at www.growinghope.net. More information about VISTA and other Corporation for National and Community Service programs, see http://www.cns.gov/. Additional questions about Growing Hope or these positions, please call us at 734-786-8401 or email Amanda Edmonds at amanda@growinghope.net.

Tuesday, October 24, 2006

GH Volunteer Update 10/17/06

Hi Everybody…

We’ve had a few snowflakes in the past couple of weeks – but don’t think Growing Hope is closing up for the winter. There a still some gardens to close, two more weeks of the Downtown Ypsi Farmers’ Market, and a whole winter season of planning, and prep. – Not to mention some very exciting planning towards The Growing Hope Center… check out details on our newest endeavor below!

To all of you that took part in the past couple weeks of volunteer events - we send you a special thanks and appreciate your high spirits and hard work! Whether you tackled the enormous compost pile at Perry on 10/7, came out to lend a hand at the Ypsilanti Farmers’ Market on a past Tuesday, or came out to support and celebrate your fellow community gardeners at the Harvest Party this past Saturday we couldn’t have done it (or had a party) without you … so THANKS!

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. Perry Garden Workday – Sat. Oct. 28th 9-12pm
- Special Projects -
2. Growing Hope Center Info. Sessions – 10/17 thru 11/1 @ various times
3. Plant-A-Row for the Hungry – collection and donation opportunities
4. Downtown Ypsilanti Farmers’ Market Crew – Tuesday evening vol. shifts
5. GH Newsletter Assistants – writers, InDesign users, etc.
_____________________________________________________________________
(***Please reply by emailing info@growinghope.net***)

1. VOL. NEEDED
Perry Garden Workday
Sat. Oct. 28th – 9-12pm

Join some great volunteers from UofMs Circle K group as we continue putting the Perry Learning Garden to bed for the winter. We’re especially looking for folks that know a bit about dividing perennials, anyone with a pick-up truck, and anyone with experience using a chipper/shredder. Please call or email to RSVP or for more information.

--SPECIAL PROJECTS--

2.
Growing Hope Center Info. Sessions
(see dates and times below)

As some of you may have seen in an earlier email, we are currently moving forward on our vision to create the Growing Hope Center – a central location for our programs and offices as well as demonstration gardens and greenhouse space. We would like to warmly invite all who are interested and very much hope you can find time to attend. Below is a snip from the original invite if you missed it…

The vision for the Growing Hope Center is for a space where community can gather to learn, share, and grow together. By demonstrating organic food, flower, and herb production in gardens and greenhouses, growing nutritious food to be sold and given to surrounding neighborhoods, offering job opportunities for low-income youth & adults, housing a garden tool lending & resource library, being a hands-on training center for community & school garden development, and potentially providing incubator space for green business, the Center will allow Growing Hope to expand its ability to catalyze and support healthy, sustainable families & community in Ypsilanti and throughout Washtenaw County. The Center, in addition to providing growing space, will also house the organization and all of its educational programs, be accessible to low-income parts of the community, showcase green & energy efficiency building, and contribute to community revitalization of the neighborhood.

We are seeking donors, investors, builders, advisors, and community members who want to see positive change and community development in the Eastern part of Washtenaw County, who care about healthy neighborhoods and healthy citizens, and who want to be catalysts for sustainability and growth for communities of all income levels. I’d like you to invite you to attend one of our upcoming info sessions to learn about the vision, gain an understanding of the property currently being considered, and—most of all—provide us with your input about how we might move forward. Current sessions are scheduled for:

Tuesday, October 17, 5:30-7 pm. EnHouse @ Recycle Ann Arbor’s ReUse Center
(2420 S. Industrial, Ann Arbor, 48104)
Wednesday, October 18, 8:30-10 am. Board Room, Ypsilanti Area Chamber of Commerce (Michigan Ave & Hamilton in downtown Ypsi, in the Key Bank Building)
Wednesday, November 1, 7-8:30 pm. Towner I, Rm228, Washtenaw County Public Health (Off Prospect near Michigan Ave in Ypsilanti)

Please RSVP by email to Amanda@growinghope.net or calling Amanda directly at 330-7576. We look forward to your input & participation!

3. VOL. NEEDED
Plant-A-Row for the Hungry – collection and donation opportunities

- The Foodgatherers’ Warehouse – M-F from 9am to 4pm
(see www.foodgatherers.org for directions)
- English Gardens on Maple Rd. in Ann Arbor – M-Sat. 9-9 and Sun. 9-6
(ask a sales clerk where to donate for PAR)

**If you have organized a collection day that you would like posted or would like to assist with one please reply to Karen@growinghope.net**

(Don’t forget, Foodgatherers will arrange a truck to pick up any donations over 40 lbs., just call (734) 761-2796 during business hours)

4. VOL. NEEDED
Downtown Ypsilanti Farmers’ Market Crew
Tuesday evenings June 6 – Oct. 31
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-October 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 – 6:30
(Break-down) 6:30-7:30

5. VOL. NEEDED
GH Newsletter Assistants – writers, InDesign users, etc.
On-going, flexible schedule

Volunteer by sharing your skills in writing and design… We are looking for a few good writers to lend a hand writing and editing newsletter articles for our upcoming Fall GH Newsletter. Are you familiar with InDesign? We are also looking for someone interested in helping us format our Fall Newsletter (we have a template, just need the extra experienced hands)

If you think you might like to write an article, edit, or format please contact info@growinghope.net for more information.

-Karen

Tuesday, October 10, 2006

Harvest Party!!! Saturday, Oct. 14th

Gardeners, volunteers, and friends of Growing Hope--

You are all invited to our annual Harvest Party coming up Saturday, October 14th from 4-6 pm at the Ypsilanti Senior Center.

Please join us to celebrate the successes of the season and partake in the bounty of our harvests. All are welcome, ages 0-100! If you've been trying to rope someone into getting involved with Growing Hope, this is the time to bring them out!

We'll have a potluck, kids' activities, herbal craft products, a slideshow of the season, and more. If you've got digital pictures you'd like me to include, please email them my way.

And, back again is the GREEN TOMATO Cooking Contest-- so get out your grandma's recipe book and show us the most creative dish you can with green tomatoes... AND, because many of our tomato harvests are lean right now, we're having another category for this Harvest Cook-off-- WINTER SQUASH! Please bring your dish already prepared, and a recipe to go along with it, and the community present will vote! Prizes awarded in both the tomato and squash categories.

If you're not contributing to the green tomato or winter squash delicacies, please bring another dish to pass, along with a list of ingredients or its recipe (for the food-allergy sensitive). We're also starting to collect healthy garden recipes to put together a Growing Hope Cookbook, and would appreciate your contributions. If you bring a recipe, you'll be entered in a drawing for a door prize!

Extra bonus-- our own Roy Finny, gardener at West Middle School Community Garden, two-year participant in Roots & Shoots, and now Growing Hope youth intern will be performing, along with his musical partner Brianna Green. Other musical talent welcome-- kids or adults, please get in touch!

We really do hope we see everyone at this event-- even if we haven't seen you out at the gardens or the farmer's market lately.

RSVPs appreciated but not required to rsvp@growinghope.net. Willing to lend an extra hand with set up or clean up, the kids' activities, crafts, the cook-off, or another component? That would be great! Please let Karen know at karen@growinghope.net

Happy harvests,
Amanda