4-H Restorative Community Service Food Bank Garden

Located in Brush Prairie, the 4-H Restorative Community Service Food Bank Garden gives youth an opportunity to complete community service hours in a garden setting. The vegetables that are grown are donated to the food bank. Youth, community volunteers, and a mentor for the court meet weekly for 4 hours. The garden is a collaboration among the WSU Extension 4-H Youth Development Program, the Clark County Juvenile Court, and the Battle Ground School District’s Center for Agriculture, Science and Environmental Education (C.A.S.E.E.). Come and check it out!!! http://clark.wsu.edu/youth/food.

GOAL/MISSION: Through an alternative approach to juvenile justice called ”Restorative Community Service” (RCS), youth are encouraged to see their mandated community service as 1) a personal obligation (instead of punishment), 2) a chance to make right the wrong they have done, and 3) work that is valued by their victims and the community. The 4-H RCS Garden provides an opportunity not only to hold youth accountable for their offenses but, at the same time, to give them a chance to be seen in the community as people who are capable of making a positive contribution. This is achieved by placing them side-by-side with other community volunteers, working towards a common goal to feed the people in their communities. WHO IS MENTORED? Most all youthful offenders are eligible for participation in the Restorative Community Service program, from ages 11 to 18. The youth who are mentored have selected the 4-H RCS Garden at C.A.S.E.E. as the project to which they wish to donate their community service hours. CURRENT NUMBER OF MENTORS/MENTEES: Our goal is to have 1 mentor on-site for every 2 youth participants. We typically host 8 youth volunteers in the garden each week. As of now we are in desperate need of community volunteers with or without garden experience. WHO CAN MENTOR? Any adult who is willing to work side by side with youth while modeling respectful communication and teamwork is welcome. If you have some gardening experience or are willing to learn we would love to have you. TRAINING REQUIRED: Some training is required, and is typically offered in March, before the growing season gets underway. All mentors must undergo a background check by the Washington State Patrol. If you are unable to attend the training we will provide our volunteer information and a one-on-one background discussion about the 4-H RCS philosophy. TIME COMMITMENT REQUIRED: Continuity is provided by the 4-H program coordinator. There is no minimum time commitment for mentors. No time is too little. The hours are Saturdays from 9-1 during school months and Tuesday mornings during summer vacation. CURRENT WAITING LIST: There is no waiting list at this time. LOCATION: WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION-CLARK COUNTY 11104 NE 149th St. Bldg. C-100 Brush Prairie, WA 98606 (West side of the Center for Agriculture, Science and Environmental Education, beyond the Naturescapers Gardens. 4-H RCS is the last garden located on the right-hand side of the gravel road.) CONTACT: Jodee Nickel, Food $ense Program Coordinator (360) 397-6060 ext. 7708 jodee.nickel@clark.wa.gov *************************************************** ANNOUNCMENTS: COMMUNITY GARDENING PROJECT AT HAZEL DELL SCHOOL To the Master Gardener Foundation and other Community Supporters, thank you so much for the plants that you donated for the Hazel Dell Garden work sessions. A special thanks to all the community volunteers that donate their time and make financial donations to the garden. Jodee Nickel 4-H Youth Development and Food $ense Programs Coordinator