Tierney Learning Center
Our journey began with the Mobile Garden Project at the Tierney Learning Center in South Boston. This pilot program was launched to bring the joys and educational benefits of gardening to children in the Old Colony community. Serving over 1,400 residents, the Tierney Learning Center is a vital resource that provides a wide range of services and programs to the community, including early childhood education, after-school programs, teen programming, and adult skill-building workshops.
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Our Mission at TLC
Our mission at the Tierney Learning Center is to engage young minds through the process of growing their own food. By teaching children about the plant life cycle, from seed to harvest, we help them develop a deeper appreciation for nature, nutrition, and the value of collaboration. Through this hands-on learning experience, students not only gain practical skills but also build confidence and a sense of accomplishment.
Pilot Program Highlights
Education: The program educates 45 children (ages 10-13) in the TLC After School program on the planting process and the excitement of growing their own food.
● Collaboration: Each of the three after-school classrooms works together to build and plant their own gardening bed, fostering teamwork and individual contributions.
● Mentorship: Older students in the TLC Teen Program (ages 14-18) study the science behind gardening, help build the garden planters, and serve as mentors to the younger students.
Impact and Benefits
Community Engagement: The project brings together community members of all ages, creating a shared experience and strengthening bonds within the Old Colony community.
● Nutritional Education: Students learn about the nutritional value of fresh produce, promoting healthier eating habits.
● Curriculum Enhancement: The TLC’s curriculum is enriched through hands-on studies of plant growth and the value of a diverse ecosystem.
● Local Partnerships: The project has the potential to connect the TLC with other members of the South Boston community, including local restaurants that could use the plants grown by students to create dishes for a community-wide Harvest Celebration
Future Vision
The success of the Mobile Garden Project at the Tierney Learning Center has laid the groundwork for future expansion. We envision a long-term partnership with the TLC, where students will continue to plant, oversee, and harvest their gardens year after year. Additionally, we aim to expand the project to other centers, creating a network of gardens that will bring
similar benefits to communities throughout the region.
How to Donate
Your support is essential to the continued success of the Mobile Garden Project at the Tierney Learning Center. Donations directly fund the materials and resources needed to sustain this program and expand it to new locations. Together, we can cultivate a brighter future for these students and their communities.
- Send a check to the Tierney Learning Center, 125 Mercer Street, South Boston, MA 02127 (note Mobile Garden Project).
- Donate through the Tierney Learning Center website (note Mobile Garden Project): https://freedonationkiosk.com:9011/ttlc/donation/new
- The Tierney Learning Center is operated under the auspices of The Beacon Communities Charitable Fund, a 501(c)3 organization with a dedicated Board of Directors.