The Green Heart Project Announces the 4th year of its Summer Youth Internship Program

Press Release

The Green Heart Project, a local nonprofit focused on education, healthy food, and community, has opened applications for its summer Youth Internship Program. This opportunity is open to anyone in grades 9-12, who will be 15 years old by the program start date. The primary internship location is The Green Heart Project’s Urban Farm at Enston Home at 900 King Street in Downtown Charleston. The half-acre farm serves as a community garden for residents of the William Enston Home, an outdoor classroom for students at surrounding schools, and an asset for the entire Charleston community. In 2022, the Youth Internship Program provided summer employment for 14 high school students. 

One of those students is Aaron Johnson. Aaron began working with The Green Heart Project as a 3rd grader at Mitchell Elementary School in 2012 and returned to the Youth Internship Program as a ‘Crew Member’ in 2020. Since then, he’s developed into an influential leader among the other interns.

“I enjoy working at The Green Heart Project because it has changed my outlook on how I eat and my perspective on life, while being able to have fun and learn to live off the land, even in the most unexpected spots,” he said.

Aaron is passionate about environmental justice and wants to work to create a more sustainable world. After graduating from Charleston Charter School for Math and Science in Spring 2022, Aaron is now attending welding school at Trident Technical College.

“This year, we are excited to announce another ten openings for new Crew Members and four for returners. For its participants, the internship is a fun, outdoor-based opportunity to learn essential career and life skills and to make connections with other like-minded students, professionals, and community members,” said Green Heart’s Youth Development Program Director, Kenai McFadden. “We’re excited to see the program continue to grow this year!”

The internship program requires a 32-hour work week, M-F, at $11/hour for 8 weeks this summer.

The program will take place from June 12th – August 4th, 2023. Crew Members will support the maintenance of the urban farm, co-manage a weekly farmers’ market stand and participate in educational sessions focused on the following topics:

• Workplace and leadership skills 
• Health and wellness
• Cooking and nutrition
• Food systems 
• Sustainable agriculture
• Financial literacy
• Business and entrepreneurship
• Social Justice
• Environmental Literacy

Those interested in applying may fill out an application online at www.greenheartsc.org/get-involved/. The application deadline is March 31, 2023. For more information, email urbanfarm@greenheartsc.org or call 843-790.-3188.

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