Resilient Kids Shine in Garden to Table Success

We’re proud to conclude the first round of our Resilient Kids initiative, Garden to Table. This unique program took participants on a hands-on exploration of the fascinating world of food, where it comes from and how it gets to our table. Over the past few weeks, these talented young people have learned about growing fresh ingredients and cooking delicious dishes. They have also discovered their creative side through woodwork projects and strengthened friendships through fun and games.

Momentum Collective Operations Manager Fiona Miller, has been an integral part of getting this program off the ground. She hoped the program would benefit the participants in more ways than one.

“There were lots of great lessons! Some practical ones are about recycling, what grows in the garden and how to cook things. Lessons about our community members and what they did in the world were also welcomed,” she said.

The program is about more than food; it is about nurturing skills, teamwork and the confidence of youths struggling with or becoming disengaged from school. Keeping youth engaged in school is crucial, especially during their teen years, when they build essential life skills, see extensive personal growth and shape a strong foundation for future success. While reducing the risk of disengagement and its long-term social and economic impacts, programs like Garden to Table provide a safe space for these young people to re-engage. Whether it was planting veggies, learning to cook or building something new with their hands, the participants dove into each task with energy and enthusiasm.

Seeing the journeys and the outcomes throughout the program has been very rewarding for the team that facilitated it.

“We loved seeing them challenge themselves and learn new things. The celebration lunch was the most enjoyable. Seeing everyone meeting new people, sharing what they had cooked and being brave enough to talk about it was fantastic,” Fiona said.

The growth witnessed in the participants was truly remarkable. They learned new skills and grew as individuals, gaining confidence and a sense of accomplishment.

“At the beginning, sharing with each other and talking with us as facilitators was challenging for them, but as they got comfortable, they all opened up.” She reflected.

The excitement culminated in a heartwarming celebration with local community members. Together, they teamed up with our participants to whip up a feast, showcasing the skills they’d honed throughout the program. The room was filled with laughter, delicious smells and pride as everyone enjoyed the fruits of their labour (literally!).

We are deeply grateful to our participants, staff and community members for their dedication and support, which made this initiative a resounding success. We look forward to witnessing the future successes of these resilient kids!