YOUTH AS FOOD JUSTICE LEADERS – 9/24/25

Learn about Growing Hope’s Teen Leadership Program in Ypsilanti, Michigan!

Each year, Growing Hope employs teens to train as leaders within the local food movement. These skills are gained through our year-round summer and after school programs. Our Teen Crew Members learn about farming and gardening by working on the Growing Hope Urban Farm, and participate in weekly workshops on social identity, community organizing, food justice, and cooking skills. Through this program, high school aged youth are given the opportunity to learn about our local and national food system, lead food justice projects, and build their own personal development skills.

Learning Outcomes:

• Understanding youth-driven principles and philosophy of the Growing Hope Teen Leadership Program.
• Provide a concrete example and key structural elements of a program that has developed young food justice leaders over the course of several years. 
• Learn about how youth-driven facilitation and leadership can lead to impactful community engagement.

Presented by:

• Jenny Pritchett, Teen & Schools Manager at Growing Hope, Ypsilanti, MI
• Esha Biswas, Youth Programs Manager at Growing Hope, Ypsilanti, MI

Resource Handout

This webinar is part of the 2025 SGSO Leadership Institute Webinar Series which highlights participants of the 2025 SGSO Leadership Institute, hosted by Life Lab and Whole Kids, a pillar of Whole Foods Market Foundation, in partnership with the SGSO Network.