Growing Home was founded in 1996 by Les Brown, then the Policy Director at the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless, in order to provide job training for needy Chicagoans. Les wrote before he passed away in 2005 that homeless people are often without roots. Theyre not tied down, not connected, not part of their family anymore. Our organic farming program is a way for them to connect with natureto plant and nurture roots over a period of time. When you get involved in taking responsibility for caring for something, creating an environment that produces growth, then it helps you build self-esteem and feel more connected. In 2009, Growing Home completed a three-year strategic planning process that revised Growing Homes mission of providing transitional employment to include a wider view of what organic agriculture can offer individuals and communities.

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 Homes primary projects are an organic agriculture social enterprise, and a job readiness and job training program for needy Chicagoans.

Growing Homes mission is to operate, promote, and demonstrate the use of organic agriculture as a vehicle for job training, employment, and community development. During a 2009 strategic planning process, which included the Board of Directors, staff, and numerous other stakeholders, five key endeavors pursuant to the organizations mission were outlined: Growing Home develops innovative urban and other agriculture initiatives with economic development potential. In 2009, Growing Home grew and sold over 10,000 pounds of local, USDA Certified Organic produce at the Wood Street Urban Farm on Chicagos South Side. Growing Homes transitional job program targets people with multiple barriers to employment and helps them get jobs. In 2010, approximately 75% of Growing Homes program participants have had previous incarcerations. All participants have been identified as having one or more serious barriers to employment, including homelessness, lack of education, history of substance abuse, and criminal background. Growing Home works in communities where we can make a positive economic difference. In Englewood, Growing Home has helped develop the Englewood Farmers Market, where community members can shop weekly for fresh, organic produce. Growing Home is a leader in advocating for local healthy food systems. Growing Homes 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 areas of community greening and green initiatives. All of Growing Homes farms are USDA Certified Organic. Growing Home creates green jobs and stimulates economic opportunity via an organic agriculture social enterprise. In 2010, Growing Home staff is helping the Greater Englewood Urban Agriculture District Strategic Planning Committee plan an economic recovery in Englewood initiated by Growing Homes Wood Street Urban Farm. This list of projects, loosely grouped into the headings of job training, social enterprise, and community and economic development, are the basis of Growing Homes 2010 and 2011 activities. This year, Growing Home is enlarging and improving its job training program, increasing diversity and income in its social enterprise organic agriculture business, and working with community leaders and a newly-hired community outreach coordinator in order to develop an outreach program that will bring its expertise to others. Over the past six years, Growing Home has become a leader in the urban agriculture and job training movements in Chicago. The Wood Street Urban Farm is Chicagos first permanent, year-round urban farm. The land for the farm was sold to Growing Home for $1 by the City of Chicago, and the redevelopment agreement for the land set the precedent for future urban farms. By bringing produce grown at urban farms like Growing Homes Wood Street Urban Farm to markets including the Englewood Farmers Market and Green City Market, Growing Home is improving access to healthy, local food in Chicago, especially in the Englewood neighborhood, which is considered a food desert because of its lack of access to fresh, healthy food options.