Our After-School and Summer Youth Programs

Our youth after-school programs - Semillas del Futuro and Raíces de Cambio - provide opportunities for young people in our community to develop leadership skills, learn about sustainable agriculture, and engage in cultural activities.

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WATCH VIDEO

Semillas del Futuro

Semillas is a youth leadership building program focusing on arts, Puerto Rican culture, entrepreneurship, and gardening. Our Semillas program youth get help with homework, coaching, college prep, and exposure to a range of art skills, and get paid a stipend based on achievement and commitment. It is a year-round program, with an emphasis on work readiness during the summer, as well as outdoor experiences such as photography, gardening, camping, and canoeing.

Youth can attend 2-5 times per week and rotate topics that include NSNP history, gardening, art, cooking, sex education, healthy relationships, entrepreneurship, and financial literacy. This year, Semillas youth have developed products and sold merchandise at the community farm stand.

Raíces de Cambio

The Raíces program is an apprenticeship program that teaches youth gardening, farming, food justice, and the cultural impacts of urban green spaces. The program aims to prepare young people for entry-level positions in horticulture or agriculture and teach them about Puerto Rican history and indigenous Taíno gardening practices. Raíces de Cambio apprentices are paid hourly, and spaces for this unique opportunity are limited.

Every Saturday from the start of the summer into the fall, participants in the program sell their produce to community neighbors. To support our program and get access to our fresh produce, please visit our Farm Stand.

VISIT OUR FARM STAND

Our INstructors

SOPHIE TAYLOR-HAVENS

YOUTH PROGRAM DIRECTOR

EVELYN MATOS

YOUTH & FAMILY SERVICES MANAGER

TONI-ANNE MCDONALD

LEAD SEMILLAS DEL FUTURO INSTRUCTOR

RIA ALFONSO

GARDEN EDUCATOR
QUESTIONS
QUESTIONS
QUESTIONS
QUESTIONS
QUESTIONS
QUESTIONS

How old do I need to be to enroll?

How do I get into the Summer program?

What are the hours of the program?

Do I need to attend every day?

Is the program free?