Success Story #1 (click to read)
Last week one of our Nutrition Specialists visited the SPROUT! site, House of Rhema, to make homemade lemonade with the child participants.
The site coordinator expressed that because “we don’t always involve our kids in the kitchen” they sometimes feel excluded.
The Nutrition Specialist made sure to get all of the kids involved in rolling and squeezing lemons and making homemade syrup. She was great at interacting with them, which made them feel like they belonged.
Their little palates where pleasantly delighted when they finally had the chance to sample their own lemonade – “It's real sweet,” said one of the children. The site coordinator responded, “That’s because you made it.” Another child, a self-proclaimed Junior Scientist, said that his next feat is “orange-ade”. (He figured that if one can make lemons into lemonade then there must be an open market for his "new" creation.)
The next endeavor is homemade applesauce. The children are anxiously awaiting the opportunity to make this nutritious treat!
The site coordinator expressed that because “we don’t always involve our kids in the kitchen” they sometimes feel excluded.
The Nutrition Specialist made sure to get all of the kids involved in rolling and squeezing lemons and making homemade syrup. She was great at interacting with them, which made them feel like they belonged.
Their little palates where pleasantly delighted when they finally had the chance to sample their own lemonade – “It's real sweet,” said one of the children. The site coordinator responded, “That’s because you made it.” Another child, a self-proclaimed Junior Scientist, said that his next feat is “orange-ade”. (He figured that if one can make lemons into lemonade then there must be an open market for his "new" creation.)
The next endeavor is homemade applesauce. The children are anxiously awaiting the opportunity to make this nutritious treat!
Success Story #2 (click to read)
The site coordinators at the Dearborn Homes SPROUT! sites formed a collaboration with a mission to overcome the negative stigma and fears associated with the Chicago Houseing Authority (CHA). They have partnered with the business and residential communities outside of CHA to promote SPROUT! and to recruit children for the program. Prior to SPROUT!, the children on the 2700 block did not integrate with the children on the 2900 block because of gang activity among teens. Children would not even walk on each other's block for fear of retaliation. State Street was the only neutral block each could walk on safely. That has all changed since the arrival of SPROUT!, as the children in 2701 Dearborn and the children in 2931 Federal meet daily as one group, going to each other's sites for indoor activities and meeting at Williams Field Park for outdoor activities.
Success Story #3 (click to read)
When asked about his experience with the SPROUT! program, an Area Manager shared, “SPROUT! has truly planted a seed of inspiration, making a difference for children, families, staff, and the community that it serves. Each day welcomes a new opportunity to experience, grow, work, play, learn, teach, give and receive.”