We believe that building and renewing a community requires a holistic approach that creates long-term sustainable change. Our programs engage children, youth, and families in their own community development through education, internships, and leadership development

Each year we provide opportunities for children and youth to learn work, leadership, gardening, ecology and culinary skills. Participating youth:

~expand their knowledge of career opportunities ~increase their knowledge of the local environment ~ improve personal and community health ~develop an ethic of community service.

Each year, our cooking, gardening and environmental restoration youth internship and education programs serve more than 1,700 low-income children, youth and families. More than 1000 people are also impacted each year through our Community Supported Agriculture program, farmer's market stands, garden and nature sanctuary tours, rain garden demonstrations and other community projects.

At our 40th anniversary celebration in August, one of our teen interns shared the following reflection about his experience in our Youth Conservation Corps:

"I started my internship at the Community Design Center during the summer of 2007. For two summers after that, I came back as a conservation corps intern. My three years with the CDC brought me joy, courage and hope. I met new people and made new friends. Everyone at the CDC let out this warm feeling, a feeling that even an outsider can feel comfy in. The program has left a mark within me, a marking that would never go away. I always had a low self-confidence, but after all these years with the CDC, my confidence grew with the help of the staff and interns. I would never talk to a stranger, I would just back out. Seeing my supervisors talk to them and backing me up gave me something to look up to, I wanted to be like them. With all the help that I got, my wall of confidence built up, block by block. Everyone helped me with not just my confidence, but my hopes as well... The best thing I like about being an intern at the CDC is that it feels like home, a place to feel welcome to go to. I learned a lot about Bruce Vento Nature Sanctuary, rain gardens and conservation work. What I value the most is not what I learned or accomplished, but what I gained, friends and a place to belong. The experience that I’ve gained from the CDC is priceless. I’m glad that I am an intern there."

Thanks for supporting our work!