Forest Avenue Outreach

Mission- Grow a Community One Seed at a Time. Vision- Healthy, positive, and vibrant communities within the heart of Des Moines. Equity for teens' employability and success in positive life choices. High School graduates prepared to fill high-demand building trades careers in the Des Moines Metro. History- Forest Ave Outreach began with Urban Agriculture, Youth Programming (including Entrepreneurial training), and Community Outreach. It began with an empty city lot at 334 Forest, which was transformed into an orchard that now also has an outdoor classroom and community green space. The produce grown at community gardens was distributed to garden volunteers and donated to neighborhood families. A practice FAO still upholds today. The original youth entrepreneurial training which began as yard maintenance has transformed today into Pathway to Building Trades, a registered pre-apprenticeship in partnership with local building trades unions.

Workforce Development: Earn while you learn registered pre-apprenticeship for young people age 16-21, as a pathway into the building trades. This includes hands on training, transferrable soft skills, and certifications. Food Security: A free (pick your own) community orchard, and adjoining community garden in the Riverbend Neighborhood. We donate nearly 1,000 lbs. of fresh produce to the community each year, as well as provide garden plots where neighborhood families grow their own food.