Growing Home - Honore Street Farm

Growing Home is one of several non-profit organic agriculture businesses, that provide training and opportunity for employment in the horticulture field.  This unique job readiness program helps to reintroduce participants back into the workforce. Growing Home was started in 1992 by Les Brown, Director of Policy for the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless. He recognized that not only was the critical lack of living-wage jobs one of the major factors that leads to homelessness, but that a sense of purpose was also a necessary component of breaking out of the cycle of homelessness.  He was committed to helping individuals transform their lives.

This event marked the opening of the first urban farm under the City of Chicago's new urban agriculture ordinance. This new farm will be planted for the growing season in Spring 2012 and will significantly expand growing capabilities within the community of Englewood. 

Harry Rhodes, Executive Director of Growing Home welcomed U.S. Senator Dick Durbin, who spoke about the promise of Englewood and took time to visit with recent graduates of the Transitional Jobs Program. Chicago 15th Ward Alderman Toni Foulkes, emphasized the pride that families can take in feeding their families when given the opportunity--highlighting that our most recent graduates are the newest ambassadors for healthy jobs and food in Englewood.

Guest speakers also included Andy Mooney, Commissioner of Chicago's Department of Housing and Economic Development and Alicia Berg, President of the Board of NeighborSpace.  Other guests attending the ceremonies were Cynthia Bajjalieh, U.S. Senate Aide, Kambium E. Buckner, U.S. Senate Aide and Ehren Dohler, NeighborSpace Intern.

Carnow Conibear's Chief Operating Officer, Brian LoVetere, also attended and pledged CCA's support to this outstanding program.

Click this link to learn more about the program.