Denver Urban Gardens (DUG) is thrilled to introduce the Youth Service Fellowship (YSF), a 5-month program funded by Credit Union of Colorado and Denver’s Healthy Food for Denver Kids.
This fellowship offers high school students in grades 10 through 12 an opportunity to engage deeply with their community while building leadership and workforce skills in DUG’s focus areas: food, community, and climate.
Running from April to August 2025, the fellowship provides hands-on experiences in DUG gardens, food forests, and community events. Participants will also gain practical skills in areas relevant to nonprofit and green jobs. Over the 5-month term, fellows complete 87 service hours with DUG, which includes attending nine training sessions on urban agriculture, food justice, climate action, and more.
Fellows receive a monthly stipend of up to $250 (for a total of $1,250 over five months) as they complete their service hours, with payments processed internally by the 5th of each month. Upon successful completion of all service hours and training sessions, participants will earn a Certificate of Recognition and a one-time completion award of $250 (a total of $1,500 for the entire term of service).
Key Requirements for Fellowship
- Attend All 9 Training Session Dates (all sessions will be from 5:30 – 8 pm unless otherwise indicated)
-
- April 2 (Orientation 5:30 – 8:30)
- April 16
- April 26th (1030am – 1pm)
- May 21
- June 4
- June 18
- July 2 (12:30-3pm)
- July 16
- August 6
2. Complete a total of 60 direct service hours over 5 months, the following are expected dates of service:
-
- April service ~ 4 hours
- May service ~ 8 hours
- June service ~ 20 hours
- July service ~ 20 hours
- August service ~ 8 hours
- August 2nd – Annual Youth Service Fellowship Mural Painting (4 hours)
3. Communication & Reporting Requirements
-
- Timely Communication: Report any issues or challenges promptly
- Support Sessions: Attend four support sessions with the YSF Program Manager.
- Tracking Hours: Track and submit your hours monthly.
The monthly stipend of $250 will be distributed once the minimum required hours have been completed each month. A $250 completion bonus will be awarded after successfully completing the Youth Service Fellowship and attending the graduation ceremony.
Applications open January 2nd, 2025 and will remain open until March 5th. Interviews will be conducted from March 3rd to March 14th. All applicants will be notified by March 21st of their application status for the program.
Program orientation will be held April 2nd, from 5:30 – 8:30pm.
For more information or questions regarding the program please contact programs@dug.org
