G-FORCE (Gardening Fun, Full of Opportunities of Recreation, Cooperative teamwork and Environmental studies) is a high school mentorship program that helps guide youth through gardening mentorships in Seattle parks. Participants learn job skills by performing hands-on horticulture work doing grounds maintenance or landscape renovation projects in parks while receiving community-service hours needed to graduate from high school.
During the 2016-2017 school year, 249 people ages 18 and under participated in this Seattle Parks and Recreation program, donating 930 volunteer hours! Benefits of the program include:
- G-Force trains youth and positions them for future park employment after graduation.
- Participants learn team building and conflict resolution skills while having fun and being active outdoors.
- Youth help improve their own neighborhood parks as well as fields used by public schools.
- The program works to recruit minority youth and helps expose diverse young people to environmental and horticulture studies.
- G-Force helps create connections between Seattle Parks and Recreation and the neighbors surrounding city parks.
- Seattle Parks and Recreation provides all the land, materials, tools, supplies and insurance for student volunteers to participate and earn their community-service hours.
Adult volunteer mentors needed!
G-FORCE is looking for more mentors who can co-lead high school students earning their community service hours in Seattle’s parks. We are looking for people interested in volunteering from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the first and second Saturdays of each month. Volunteers will mentor, coach and provide leadership to high school kids. Adults 21 years of age or older who have experience with children, such as moms, dads, teachers, coaches, and mentors are encouraged to apply.
If you are interested in participating as a high school youth or adult mentor, please contact Christopher Canty, Landscape Gardener and Mentor, at christopher.canty@seattle.gov.