Fertile Grounds Project
The Fertile Grounds Project provides innovative programming in and outside of schools. The programs allow young people to take control over their own education and build an identity in a world where they can belong.
While working as teachers in the Bronx and Brooklyn, Jonah Canner and Becky Raik began to notice that despite all of their schools’ efforts, there were a significant number of students who were not able to find consistent success in the classroom. They believed that if their students were ever going to get a fair shot they were going to need more than what the schools were able to offer. In January of 2006, they founded The Fertile Grounds Project. Its mission is to provide young people with the space, tools and support they need to take ownership over their own educations and build an identity in a world where they can belong.
In three years, the Fertile Grounds Project has launched three successful programs for New York City public school students. The organization has relationships with more than a dozen schools and its programs have reached more than 300 young people. All of this has been accomplished with zero full time employees and minimal funds, raised through events and individual donations.
The Fertile Grounds Project creates innovative, replicable educational programs within struggling schools, provides educational opportunities outside of school, and creates a sustainable, interdependent, community of young people who support each other as they effect change in their own lives. The Fertile Grounds Project develops breakthrough educational methods and creates innovative, results-driven structures to deliver them.
Contact:
Jonah Canner, Educational DirectorOther Members
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