The Green Heart Project

Our Story

The Green Heart Project was founded in 2009 at Mitchell Elementary School in downtown Charleston, South Carolina. This initiative began as a small school garden aimed at reconnecting students with fresh, locally-grown produce. As a Title-1 public school located in a food desert, many students come from low-income households with limited access to healthy food options. Local residents Karalee Nielsen and Chauncey Jordan, along with a dedicated group of friends and an open-minded principal, established the Project to change this narrative.

What started as an urban gardening experiment quickly evolved into a transformative experience for students and volunteers alike. The garden became a space for mentorship, where students, known as "Green Heart Buddies," learned valuable life lessons about hard work, teamwork, and respect for the process of growth. This model of volunteer-assisted service-learning laid the foundation for the Green Heart Project’s mission and educational programs.

Impact

The Green Heart Project’s Farm to School programs utilize school gardens and urban farms as dynamic vehicles for education. These gardens serve as outdoor learning laboratories, reinforcing classroom curricula with a focus on STEAM standards through hands-on experiences. Students engage in the entire process of growing, harvesting, and cooking fresh, locally-grown fruits and vegetables, fostering a deep connection to food, health, culture, and the environment.

Why Donate?

Your contributions to The Green Heart Project support the mission of reconnecting students with fresh produce and provide essential educational experiences that promote health, teamwork, and environmental respect. Donations help sustain school garden programs that foster personal and social growth among students in underserved communities.

Get Involved

Join the movement to empower students and enhance their learning experiences. Donate cryptocurrency or cash today to support The Green Heart Project and help cultivate a healthier future for our children!