Pathway 1

Youth Empowerment

After school Program

Nutrition education
Children learned how to eat healthier by learning how to use MyPlate and the different food groups; and how to prepare healthy snacks from the lessons and food demonstrations. Thirty sessions were attended by an average of 10 youth. 

The Sweet Potato Project

Fifteen (15) youth participated in this Pilot Project food-based collaborative project that provides support services education, and training in urban agriculture, business, skills, healthy choices, life skills, and mental health issues. The project will officially launch March 2017.

PHASE 1: In late spring, the students learned about urban agriculture and sustainability and planted sweet potato slips donated by D&S Farms in Livingston, CA on an acre of land also donated by the African American Farmers Association. The students participated in entrepreneurial and business skills training workshops and classes taught by CSUF professionals from the Lyles School of Business. Participants also learned about creating a business plan for turning sweet potatoes into a product that can be sold.

PHASE II: The second phase of the Sweet Potato Project took place in the fall and winter months, where the students harvested sweet potatoes. The youth also used entrepreneurial and business skills through direct consumer interactions and internet advertising and sales, to take orders for sweet potatoes and sweet potato muffins. The 

Youth learned about the process of planting sweet potato plants and planted the slips in May.
  • Sweet Potato Club members received bikes from Fresno Police Activity League (PAL).
  • Youth Received training in sorting and processing sweet potatoes by Kiel Schmidt of Food
  • Commons Fresno Press Conference at Sweet Potato SiteIn attendance, Dr. Joseph I. Castro, Ken Grimes of the USDA, Will Scott President of the African American Farmers Association and other African American farmers.

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Sweet Potato Project II

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Summer Youth Projects

Zoo 2 you
The Chaffee Zoo's 'Zoo 2 You' camp taught the children about various animals and their natural habitats, such as jaguars and toucans that live in rain forests and ferrets and camels that live in deserts. Every day, a new zoo mobile animal made an appearance, which gave the children the chance to meet some of them up close. The Zoo 2 You camp ended with a fun trip to the zoo where youth could see several of the animals they learned about.


You be the Chemist
Through the weekly U Be the Chemist program, the children were able to learn about various processes by participating in hands-on science experiments including "Milk Rainbow" in which youth created swirls of color with food dye in milk to explore a property of liquids known as surface tension and "The Great Ketchup Caper" in which youth tested a series of acids and bases on a ketchup stain to learn more about chemical reactions as they attempted to remove the stain.Other topics covered included states of matter, viscosity, and condensation.


Yosemite camping Trip
WFFRC was pleased for its partnership with Nature Bridge and Wells Fargo Bank which made it possible for 17 youth and 4 chaperones from southwest Fresno to have an exciting 3-day wilderness experience while learning hands-on science in Yosemite National Park, August 1-3.
Playground Tot Lot
On December 15, Children from the neighborhood were welcomed to experience the new Playground at Maxie Parks Community Center by swinging, climbing, and pretending to become their favorite super hero. This themed playground has custom unique features that include but not limited to, a City Watch Tower, a Bank, and a Red Fire Truck. It is age appropriate for children 5-12 years & is ADA accessible.

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