BOYS GROW CORP

BoysGrow is a not-for-profit agency providing mentoring, entrepreneurship skills, and positive male role-models for inner-city boys ages 14-16. BoysGrow literally broke ground in the Spring of 2010 and is a year round farming and business program supporting the youth by providing valuable personal and business tools while cultivating and selling our products. The program is volunteer supported and staff guided, but youth driven. The Program strives, with staff guidance and direction, for the boys to take pride in their crops and products to ensure the success of the program. This will, in return, create self-pride, identity, and belonging, not only for the youth to the concept of the BoysGrow name but to himself and his fellow workers and the positive and successful environment they have created. The young men who work for BoysGrow do everything associated with running a farm and small business, from planting seeds and growing produce, to meeting with local restaurants to sell their products. Each BoysGrow class is required to create a product that will be sold in local grocery stores. The products will include farm grown ingredients and the youth create, market, distribute and sell their chosen product. The young men are compensated for their work on the farm. With their first job comes the expectation to come to work on time, in uniform and be held accountable for their work ethic. During 2024, Boys Grow continued to successfully provide an abundance of opportunities and experiences for 95 youth through our immediate program and an additional 55 youth with our school partnerships. The youth received classroom instruction and hands on activities around all aspects of running an organic farming operation, from composting techniques to soil maintenance. The youth also received hands on lessons in product development, direct public sales, culinary skills, and personal mentorship from staff and volunteers. Furthermore, the youth are taught healthy living, nutrition and healthy lifestyles. In 2024 our 5,000 square foot greenhouse was completed.