Project Hope program on its way to Airway Heights

Youth in Airway Heights might have an opportunity to learn some gardening skills and make a little bit of extra money this summer.

Project Hope Spokane, in collaboration with the Spokane Regional Health District, is working on bringing a youth gardening program to Airway Heights.

The idea for the program was generated out of the Community Cafe meetings. Heather Wallace, district health specialist with the Neighborhood Matters program who facilitates the meetings, said the gardening program would be organized through Project Hope Spokane, an organization that creates opportunities for youth through community engagement, job training and education.

The gardening program in Airway Heights would be similar to Project Hope’s Riverfront Farm, a scattered-site urban farm that is made up of donated, undeveloped lots scattered throughout Spokane’s West Central neighborhood. Local property owners donate use of the space to Project Hope and food, grown by the program’s participants, is sold at markets or to local businesses.

Wallace said participants for the Airway Heights program would be selected from Snowdon and Sunset elementary schools, and Westwood Middle School. Students would use some of the beds in Airway Heights’ community garden, which is on Lawson Street, next to Sunset Elementary

The garden was created in 2012 after Sunset received a Healthy Youth Healthy Futures Washington mini-grant. It was going to be used for the school’s Trailblazers program.

“After two years the program kind of fell through and Jeanette Struss, who runs the after school programs at Sunset said ‘you can use it for the community,’” J.C. Kennedy, Airway Heights parks, recreation and community services coordinator said.

Kennedy added that the contract between the city and Cheney Public Schools to use the garden is up. The school district must approve a contract with Airway Heights to use the garden space before the program can start.

In an email, Executive Director of Finance Kassidy Probert said Superintendent Rob Roettger is working with the city of Airway Heights on a new agreement.

If the contract is approved, the program would begin in June, one week after school is finished. Students would work in the garden three days a week.

“Project Hope will pay kids a stipend for their work,” Wallace said.

Wallace added that children would also take home the produce they grow or sell it at a farmer’s market.

Al Stover can be reached at al@cheneyfreepress.com.