Summer of Solutions Hartford End-of-Year Report
Program Mission: Summer of Solutions Hartford seeks to address both short-term and long-term causes of food injustice- systematic unequal access to good, affordable food- by training young leaders to work with Hartford communities building school and community gardens.
Our Network:
- Raised over $20,000 in foundation grants and donations
- Signed up 387 supporters on an email list for an online grant voting campaign
- Won $10,000 with over 2,300 votes in 14 days
- Brought 3,750 views to our website
- Worked with 8 major local organizations and institutions
Our Team:
- Participated in a 9 week Summer Program
- Recruited 13 full-time and 10 part-time participants ages 15-23
- Offered over $7,000 in need-based stipends to participating youth
- Secured over $5,000 in state funds directed towards youth employment
- Trained participants in urban agriculture, cooking, food preservation, social media and community organizing
Our Projects:
- Re-opened the Zion Street Community Garden for its second operating year
- Built two new school gardens and one new community garden
- Grew over 15 varieties of fruits and vegetables
- Ran regular garden programs for over 50 summer school students
- Ran a free summer camp for over 20 children ages 6-12
