Urban GEMS was designed to prevent and reduce high school dropout by enriching the science, health, personal and career development curricular offerings at two community sites for youth and families placed at high risk. The program was funded by the Children Youth and Families At Risk (CYFAR) initiative of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture and USDA. As students move through the Urban GEMS curriculum and get more experience with aeroponic food production, they will develop new skills and competencies and be motivated to remain in school rather than dropping out. Urban GEMS features project-based learning and youth leadership opportunities, which include tackling real and significant challenges facing the African American community.
Read a bit about how Urban GEMS is fast becoming a way of healing from violence and secondary trauma. <–CLICK
