The mission of Project EDEN™ is to provide jobs and job training, entrepreneurial opportunities, nutrition education and food sovereignty through ecologically-conscious urban agriculture.
PROGRAM OBJECTIVES
- Farming and Nutrition Education, Personal Development, and Significant Stipends.
- Life Skills Including Moral, Spiritual, and Civic Guidance, Violence Prevention and Positive Decision-Making.
- Assist Re-Entry and Other Participants with Workforce Development, Employment, Community Service, Career Development and College Access.
- Assist Participants with Positive Parenting Decisions and Family Unification.
- Provide Participants with Cognitive Behavioral Interventions to Reduce
Community Violence. - Develop an expanded farm and program housing and affordable housing initiative in Louisiana.
Our Garden Tools Not Guns initiative brings a positive resource to the community and serves as a gateway to reducing recidivism, providing mentoring opportunities, and providing spiritual and moral development. It is important to keep young adults off the street and offer engaging community activities.
In addition to our nutrition, healthy eating, and life skills activities, EDEN has
employed cognitive and narrative behavioral therapy (CBT) workshops (with certified counselors and noted writers) as an important part of our project.
This component provides an opportunity for young adults to express themselves through creative writing, storytelling, playwriting, videography, or other narrative tools.
Similarly, The Art Smart Lady hosts workshops (with notable artists) which like writing is used as a form of healing by enhancing participant’s self-awareness, reflecting on past traumas, gaining control of their emotions, and improving their mental health.
