Our After-School and Summer Youth Programs
Our youth after-school programs - Semillas del Futuro and Raíces de Cambio - provide opportunities for young people in our community to develop leadership skills, learn about sustainable agriculture, and engage in cultural activities.
Semillas del Futuro
Semillas is a youth leadership building program focusing on arts, Puerto Rican culture, entrepreneurship, and gardening. Our Semillas program youth get help with homework, coaching, college prep, and exposure to a range of art skills, and get paid a stipend based on achievement and commitment. It is a year-round program, with an emphasis on work readiness during the summer, as well as outdoor experiences such as photography, gardening, camping, and canoeing.
Youth can attend 2-5 times per week and rotate topics that include NSNP history, gardening, art, cooking, sex education, healthy relationships, entrepreneurship, and financial literacy. This year, Semillas youth have developed products and sold merchandise at the community farm stand.
Sign Up Info
For any questions and/or to register in our Semillas del Futuro program, please get in touch with Evelyn.
Sign Up Info
For any questions and/or to register in our Raíces de Cambio program, please get in touch with Evelyn.
Raíces de Cambio
The Raíces program is an apprenticeship program that teaches youth gardening, farming, food justice, and the cultural impacts of urban green spaces. The program aims to prepare young people for entry-level positions in horticulture or agriculture and teach them about Puerto Rican history and indigenous Taíno gardening practices. Raíces de Cambio apprentices are paid hourly, and spaces for this unique opportunity are limited.
NOTE:
Every Saturday from the start of the summer into the fall, participants in the program sell their produce to community neighbors. To support our program and get access to our fresh produce, please visit our Farm Stand.
VISIT OUR FARM STANDOur INstructors
SKY DESWERT
Sky Deswert (they/she), like many others, was pushed by the onset of the pandemic to find ways of connecting with the world in safe ways. Sky worked as a grower, integrating knowledge from their experience growing food in college and learning amongst friends and the community to nurture two seasons of fruitful harvests. They now live by Wharton Square Park and volunteer as a leader of the Garden Committee to develop and maintain the native pollinator habitat there. Sky views engaging the community in public green space as a crucial mode of healing the pain seeded in Philadelphia. As part of NSNP, Skynurtures the land and the community together.
Guillermo Caro
Guillermo Caro (he/him) is a community worker with experience in support, outreach, and program coordination for marginalized communities. His background is in the addiction field, with an awareness of those experiencing substance use and homelessness. Born and raised in Puerto Rico, Guillermo now lives in Philadelphia after receiving his degree in sociology and communications from Saint Joseph’s University. In addition to being the assistant instructor for the Semillas del Futuro, Guillermo is an interpreter for youth with disabilities and a Muay Thai fighter. He is very passionate about human rights, community, and family. Outside of NSNP, Guillermo trains and teaches kids’ classes at his Muay Thai gym in South Philly. Whenever he has time, he’ll jump on a plane to spend time with his family back on the Island.
Stefanie Hamill
Stefanie, or Stef, (she/they) aims to lead youth workshops that nurture creativity, celebrate culture, and build life skills and lifelong friendships as an after-school instructor. As a proud Panamanian-American artist and educator, she is passionate about the healing power of connecting to one’s roots and ancestral wisdom. Grounded in a decolonial approach, Stef believes that true healing occurs together: through relearning our shared histories, engaging in art, sharing laughter, enjoying meals, and spending time with Mother Nature. Her approach to education is guided by the belief that every young person deserves a space where they can express themselves authentically and make empowered choices. Outside of work, she finds joy in cooking warm, homemade meals and peace in activities such as painting, hiking, and swimming in the ocean. Stef dreams of a world where people, animals, and the land are free, and through her work, she plants seeds of that future.
How old do I need to be to enroll?
You must be in high school to attend the program. We have a few limited spots available for middle school students, but these are often reserved for family members of our current youth.
How do I get into the Summer program?
The best way to get into the summer program is to join the after-school program! The youth who have been here all year get first priority in the summer program. If you can’t attend the after-school program, the best way to join the Summer program is to reach out to our Youth and Family Services Manager in early Spring.
What are the hours of the program?
The after-school program runs from 3 pm-6 pm. Usually, 3 pm-4 pm is time for you to arrive, eat a snack, get help with homework, hang out with friends and decompress from the day. Our activity for the day begins at 4 pm. The program ends at 6 pm, this is also the time the office closes.
Do I need to attend every day?
You are welcome to attend every day, but we only ask that you attend twice per week.
Is the program free?
Yes! Totally free, and you have the opportunity to earn incentives for your participation.
