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For Immediate Release Los Angeles, CA October 12, 2006 |
Press Contact: David Sommers Phone: (213) 974-1095 Fax: (213) 626-6941 |
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Growing Experience - 10 Years
We are here to celebrate
the 10th Anniversary of The Growing Experience Program at Carmelitos.
I am pleased to have
been a part of it from the beginning when the Program started in
1996.
Carlos Jackson had a
vision that we could convert 6 acres of vacant land at into an Urban
Garden. He also saw this as an opportunity to train our public housing residents in the landscape industry and empower them with useful job skills.
In partnership with the
University of California Cooperative Extension, over 138 public
housing residents have participated in the training program,
enabling them to develop employable skills and to become
self-sufficient.
Through training
provided by CDC and UC Coop Extension, the residents have learned
about horticulture, life-skills, leadership, computer skills, time
management and how to prepare for other job opportunities. The Growing Experience has been recognized by the Ford Foundation and the John F.
Kennedy School of
Government at Harvard as one of the most innovative programs in
American Government.
It is my pleasure to
recognize the Community Development Commission, Carlos Jackson, The
Growing Experience Staff, and the resident who have made the program
a huge success. ### |
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