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DUG launches New Service Fellowship for Youth

Denver Urban Gardens (DUG) is excited to announce our new 12-month Youth Service Fellowship (YSF) program, made possible with funding from Denver’s Healthy Food for Denver Kids initiative. 

DUG’s Youth Service Fellowship offers a way for youth ages 15-23 to get involved in their community, as well as gain leadership and workforce development skills across DUG’s impact areas of food, community, and climate. 

This year-long service program, running September 2024-September 2025 provides opportunities for youth to meaningfully engage with DUG gardens, food forests, fundraising and events while receiving skills training applicable for future employment in non-profit and green jobs.

The fellowship consists of 72 hours of direct service at DUG during the 12-month span, as well as monthly two-hour long training sessions that cover topics related to urban agriculture, food justice, non-profit structure, climate action, and more. 

Fellows will receive a quarterly stipend of up to $350 (or $1,400 for the year) as they complete their service hours. Upon successful completion of the required 72 service hours and attendance to monthly sessions, participants additionally receive a Certificate of Recognition and a one-time completion award of $500.

Key Requirements for Fellowship

  1. Attend All Training Session Dates (4:30pm – 6:30pm)
    • 2024:
      • September 11 – Onboarding
      • October 16 
      • November 13 
      • December 4
    • 2025:
      • January 15
      • February 12
      • March 26 
      • April 16
      • May 7
      • June 4
      • July 16 
      • August 6
      • September 3 – Final Celebration and Wrap Up

2. Complete a total of 72 hours over 12 months

  • Apx. 6 hours of service required monthly
  • A list of opportunities for service through DUG will be provided each month at the training sessions for fellows to sign up for

3. Track and report hours

  • Fellows are required to submit their hours monthly 
  • Quarterly Stipend will be distributed after the minimum hours of service have been met
  • $500 completion bonus will be awarded after the completion of the entire Youth Service Fellowship program and graduation ceremony

Applications open August 5th for the 2024-2025 Fellowship and will remain open until August 31st. Interviews will be conducted from August 27th – September 4th. Program orientation will be held September 11th, from  4:30 – 6:30pm. 

For more information or questions regarding the program please contact programs@dug.org

With special thanks to this year’s Youth Service Fellowship sponsor, Credit Union of Colorado