In 2014,
Urban Autism Solutions created
Growing Solutions Farm a 1.2-acre produce farm in the Illinois Medical District. It is here that young adult high school students (16-21 years) from West Side Chicago Public Schools, learn about urban agriculture and cultivate transferable jobs skills.
Equally important, since many of our students come from food insecure homes or live in food deserts, every week during the growing season, participants take home a grocery bag of fresh produce. Additionally, Urban Autism Solutions donates 20% of the produce grown to Grace Seeds Ministry, which distributes fresh produce to food pantries on the West Side of Chicago. This is the same location that many of our participants, 95% of whom come from low income families, reside.