Growing Home provides transitional employment and training to Chicagoans who have multiple barriers to employment, such as, having been previously homeless or incarcerated. Through a social enterprise business based on organic agriculture our job training program assists individuals in securing permanent and unsubsidized employment. Our program provides experiential learning opportunities and employment in a local economy, as well as, a unique job readiness curriculum that helps reintroduce participants back into the workforce.

Growing Home’s mission is to operate, promote, and demonstrate the use of organic agriculture as a vehicle for job training, employment, and community development.

Growing Home develops innovative urban and other agricultural initiatives with economic development potential. In 2010, Growing Home’s Wood Street Urban Farm grew and sold over 11,000 pounds of local, USDA Certified Organic produce, with over $45,000 in earned income.

Growing Home’s transitional jobs program targets people with multiple barriers to employment and helps them get jobs. In 2010, recruits to Growing Home’s workforce development program were more diverse – in terms of barriers and demographics – than they have ever been. 

Growing Home works in communities where we can make a positive economic difference. In Englewood, Growing Home holds a weekly farm stand for our neighbors, and in 2011 staff have piloted a mini CSA program which offers a low-cost purchasing option for residents of Englewood.

Growing Home is a leader in advocating for local healthy food systems. Growing Home’s staff sits on numerous city- and nation-wide committees focusing on urban agriculture, food security, and food access. Growing Home is committed to environmentally sound practices, particularly in the area of community greening and green initiatives. All of Growing Home’s farm sites are USDA Certified Organic.

Growing Home creates green jobs and stimulates economic opportunity via an organic agriculture social enterprise. In 2011, Growing Home staff is leading the Greater Englewood Urban Agriculture Task Force to plan an economic restoration in the community, focusing on urban agriculture as a catalyst. This program is funded in part by a grant from the Chicago Community Trust and the national Convergence Partnership.

Download our information sheet (PDF, 220KB)

Download our 2010 Annual Report (PDF, 1MB)