We have developed a curriculum for adults working and learning with New City Neighbors. The focus of the activities we are submitting to New City Neighbors is on reusing and upcycling in the kitchen and garden. The activities include food preservation and usage and sustainable at-home gardening activities. Finding new uses for goods, like plastic bottles and veggie scraps, allows items to be used to their full potential and slows the toxic loop of consumerism. Everything we buy and own will inevitably be returned to the environment as trash, compost, recycled goods, or through emissions. It is incredibly important to reduce our consumer impact by thinking environmentally about buying goods and services. Finding ways to prevent buying items that have traveled long distances, have overused water, or have been harvested unsustainably, is important when planning a sustainable lifestyle.

New City Neighbors is a faith-based organization centered around helping the youth. Their goal is to create opportunities that empower and encourage youth, as well as others in the community, to use their voices. The organization focuses on the use of urban farming as a way to help develop leadership skills, while also giving platforms and a way to showcase voices. We are working with New City Neighbors to develop a curriculum that teaches adults how to use upcycling for a sustainable garden lifestyle. According to New City Neighbors, “through urban farming, we’re creating employment and empowering opportunities for youth, providing healthy food for our neighbors, and preparing a table where all are welcome to gather and form relationships with a nourishing meal” (New City Neighbors).