Lansing, Mich., (November 7, 2012) – Lansing’s Allen Neighborhood Center (ANC) will receive a $60,900 service-learning grant for a Health & Wellness service-learning community project from the State Farm Youth Advisory Board. Allen Neighborhood Center is one of 68 community organizations to receive a service-learning, youth-led grant across the United States and Canada.
“The Hunter Park GardenHouse Youth Programs promote food awareness, park stewardship, job and life skills development, and civic engagement. Major projects include: Garden-in-a-Box, an introduction to yard gardening for neighbors with limited income, mobility and gardening skill; Edible Park, planting fruit trees, bushes, and an edible landscape throughout Hunter Park; and new this year, Youth Food Cart, selling healthy snacks to park-goers.” said Ella Kate Wagner, YAB board member who currently attends Michigan State University and is from Ionia, Mich. “Service-learning is an excellent way to engage students outside of the traditional ‘chalk and blackboard’ model, and our board really liked this project’s core goals.”
Rita O’Brien, GardenHouse Program Manager, notes that “Allen Neighborhood Center’s youth programs offer job and life skill training, nutrition and fitness education, and lots of fun to 5-17 years old members of the community.”
“State Farm supports service-learning because it integrates service to the community into classroom curriculum using a hands-on approach to mastering subject material while fostering civic responsibility,” said State Farm Vice President-Agency Milt Bossch. “The State Farm Youth Advisory Board is a prime example of State Farm’s commitment to education, our community and our youth.”
The State Farm Youth Advisory Board has granted over $24 million in grant money since its inception in 2006, empowering youth to implement service-learning in 397 communities.
Additionally, applications are available for interested youth aged 17-20 to become Youth Advisory Board members. More information can be found at www.statefarmyab.com.
Angie Rinock, State Farm Public Affairs, (269) 384-8561
Rita O’Brien, ANC GardenHouse, (517) 999 - 3910
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