Abundant Grace Coastside Worker

Full Circle Food Justice (FCFJ) provides paid opportunities twice weekly for participants to cultivate fresh, organic produce as part of a comprehensive job-readiness training program. In 2023, participants in the AGCW Farm Program planted, tended, and harvested 13,000 pounds of fresh produce, which was distributed free of charge to 450 low-income individuals and families through our Workforce Development Center and other food distribution sites along the Coast. FCFJ also offers regular farm days open to all participants, ensuring a supportive and inclusive environment. Tasks are assigned based on each individuals abilities, allowing them to contribute successfully. As participants gain experience they take on more complex responsibilities and eventually mentor others, fostering skill development, self-confidence and a sense of purpose. This structured approach not only strengthens community connections but also serves as a stepping stone to employment beyond AGCW.

Our Workforce Development Center (WDC) serves as the central hub for both our services and the broader network of homelessness support in the area. We intentionally cultivate a welcoming, inclusive, and supportive environment where individuals can access a comprehensive range of essential resources. The WDC offers kitchen facilities, showers, laundry services, food and clothing distribution, laptops with WiFi access, limited storage, and mail services. Additionally we provide assistance with resume building, job searches, and housing applications, as well as community programming and social events. Through partnerships, we also offer space for case management and medical services including support from the Street Medical Team. Additional resources such as personal care items and bicycle repair further enhance the support available to our community. In addition to housing our administrative offices the WDC serves as the meeting point for all our employment programs.

We offer five rounds of the Farm Apprenticeship each year with each round consisting of six weekly sessions. Participants select a specialized project to complete on the farm, gaining hands-on experience in areas such as irrigation, greenhouse management, herb and flower cultivation, pest control, and more.In addition to their individual projects, apprentices take part in expert-led training sessions covering topics like mindfulness, accountability, and personal responsibility. A key component of the program is the Future Authoring series, which guides participants through structured goal-setting exercises. For many, this is the first opportunity to reflect on and define their personal aspirations, making it one of the most transformative aspects of the apprenticeship. We have witnessed remarkable achievements emerge from this process. We are continuing to develop our nutrition and value-added products apprenticeships, further enriching the learning experience. erosion control measures, and working to protect local wildlife habitats. This program not only fosters ecological responsibility but also provides participants with practical skills and a sense of purpose through meaningful work.

The Conservation Crew was established to provide individuals experiencing homelessness with meaningful employment focused on environmental stewardship. Based at Potrero Nuevo Farma 300-acre farm and wilderness propertythe program offers an outdoor classroom where participants engage in environmental studies and reflect on their personal impact on the planet.Through a combination of expert-led discussions and hands-on projects, participants gain valuable experience in conservation, native plant and wildlife management, and climate change mitigation. Key concepts and skills covered include land stewardship, human environmental impact, carbon sequestration, riparian zone awareness, marine plastic pollution prevention, habitat restoration, and leave-no-trace principles.The Conservation Crew has made a significant environmental impact, successfully planting hundreds of native plants, removing invasive species, restoring creeks and ponds, implementing erosion co