Groundwork Denver

Green team youth employment program: gwd employed 80 youth who worked in urban gardens and on neighborhood improvement and civic engagement projects related to environmental issues as well as healthy eating and active living. Ages ranged from 13 to 24. The older youth (aged 18-24) worked at the rocky mountain arsenal national wildlife refuge and on other public lands. The youth aged 14-17 worked on community projects including urban farming and water quality. The youngest students (aged 13-14) worked on a variety of projects mentored by the older youth.

Other environmental programs: various projects to bring about the sustained improvement of the physical environment and promote health and well-being through community-based partnerships and action

Energy efficiency programs: conducted door-to-door outreach signing residents up for free energy audits, recycling, trees, and other resources. We completed 129 home energy audits in Denver and commerce city. Low-cost and major energy upgrades, such as insulation or energy efficient appliances, were installed in many of these homes.

Urban agriculture and food access projects: we managed our hydroponic greenhouse to produce local healthy food. The food was distributed to the community via pay-what-you- can farm stands and donations to social service agencies. Additionally, we partnered with two other local non-profits to pilot a system to pickup extra produce from backyard gardeners for donation.