2025 CommUnity Growing

Rooted in Youth, Growing in Community: Spring Reflections from the Spiral Garden

At the Consumption Literacy Project (CLP), we believe that real learning grows from the soil up—through hands-on experience, meaningful relationships, and shared care for the land and one another. This spring we shared out over 600 seedlings, 5000 seed packets, 208 apple trees, and knowledge about planting and composting with over 100 community members. As we reflect on this spring season, we’re feeling deeply encouraged by the transformation we’ve witnessed—not just in the gardens, but in the young people shaping them.

This spring brought challenges: unexpected cold, funding uncertainty, and the emotional weight our youth carry from the world around them. We held space for young people navigating a wide range of deep emotions. We are more than a garden program—we became a consistent place of safety, joy, and reconnection.

Youth Leadership in Action

From co-creating our 2025 Garden Apprentice Contract to planning mental health-focused events like the our Movie Night in the Garden, youth have not only shown up—they’ve led. In April, they sat down with staff and co-authored the structure of their own summer program, setting expectations and dreaming up opportunities. This kind of ownership is at the heart of CLP’s work.

1400% Growth Since 2020

What started in 2020 with four, then eight kids and a few mounds of soil has blossomed into a movement. As of this spring, over 60 individual youth have been involved in the Spiral Garden—an incredible 1400% increase in youth engagement in five years. That growth has come not from advertising, but from youth inviting each other in, from neighbors spreading the word, and from partnerships rooted in shared values.

Circular Values, Local Roots

With support from partners like Faithbridge, Regis University, and CU Denver, we’re connecting youth to college pathways, mental health resources, and leadership opportunities. We’re also building new gardens—this spring marks the beginning of our fifth site, designed and constructed by youth in Montbello.

Our work is grounded in the principles of the circular economy, community co-creation, and the Montessori pedagogy, where youth are not passive participants but active designers of their own learning. That means growing food and composting—but also planning events, leading workshops, and co-creating curriculum.

What’s Next?

This summer, youth will rotate across garden sites, learn from our agricultural specialists, and experience mini-courses focused on themes like how to care for trees, art, water stewardship, and more! They’re also organizing for our August 4th Backpack Giveaway, a community celebration powered by youth leadership and vision. Haven’t donated yet to the Backpack Giveaway? There’s still time to support! Every contribution helps us put essential supplies directly into the hands of youth—and shows them their community has their back. Click the donate button on our main page! https://www.consumptionliteracy.org/

We’re growing—literally and figuratively. And we couldn’t do it without the young people, families, partners, and YOU who believe in what this work means.

CommUnity is key. And we’re grateful to be growing it with you.

Stay tuned for our summer series by a guest writer to learn more about our gardens!

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