THE HEAL PROJECT

STUDENT PARTICIPANT NUMBERS IN OUR TWO MAIN PROGRAMS (BELOW) GREW 17%, REACHING A NEW RECORD HIGH OF 4,800 PARTICIPANTS IN THE FISCAL YEAR. THE HEAL PROJECT GARDEN PROGRAMS: A COMPREHENSIVE HEALTH EDUCATION PROGRAM INTEGRATED INTO THE DAILY SCHOOL SCHEDULE OF FOUR ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS WITHIN THE CABRILLO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT, PRIMARILY FOCUSING ON GRADES 2-3. THE PROGRAM UTILIZES A COMBINATION OF CLASSROOM INSTRUCTION, GARDEN AND FOOD- BASED CURRICULUM & ACTIVITIES FOCUSING ON HEALTH, ENVIRONMENTAL, & AGRICULTURAL LITERACY. THE HEAL PROJECT FARM PROGRAM: A HANDS-ON ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM AVAILABLE TO SCHOOL CHILDREN OF SAN MATEO COUNTY. THE PROGRAM PRIMARILY BENEFITS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL LEVEL BUT IS OPEN TO GRADES K-12, PROVIDING OPPORTUNITIES TO UNDERSTAND FOOD SYSTEMS & DEVELOP POSITIVE ASSOCIATIONS WITH FRESH PRODUCE THROUGH PLANTING, GROWING, HARVESTING AND EATING ACTIVITIES. THE PROGRAM OPERATES THROUGH FIELD TRIPS AND DAY CAMP PROGRAMS. VOLUNTEER PROGRAM: PARTICIPATION IN OUR VOLUNTEER PROGRAM (CONNECTING LOCAL RESIDENTS, STUDENTS, AND SERVICE GROUPS WITH TRAINING AND HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE ON OUR WORKING FARM, WHILE GROWING, HARVESTING, AND PREPARING PRODUCE FOR LOCAL FOOD PROGRAMS) GREW BY 330%, REACHING A RECORD OF NEARLY 1,200 HOURS. CAPACITY BUILDING: COMPLETED COMPREHENSIVE STAFF TRAINING ON TRAUMA- INFORMED NUTRITION, AND SUPPORTED EXTENSIVE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR EDUCATORS TO BETTER DELIVER CONTENT TO STUDENTS OF ALL BACKGROUNDS.