New Roots Garden Engagement and Education Intern

BACKGROUND: Founded in 1933, the International Rescue Committee is a leading, non-sectarian, non- profit organization providing emergency relief, protection, rehabilitation assistance, resettlement services, and advocacy for refugees and victims of oppression or violent conflict. Domestically, our 29 offices across the U.S. ensure new arrivals have food, shelter, and clothing, and work with refugees to help them gain self-sufficiency.

SCOPE OF INTERN WORK: New Roots brings refugees together to share their agricultural skills and connect with their new home and community by placing families in community garden sites across Salt Lake Valley. In addition to creating the opportunity to produce supplementary food, community gardens can also act as access points for health, nutrition, and other educational services. The Garden Engagement & Education Intern will work across New Roots garden sites to assist with community engagement programming and promote food access opportunities.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

·Assist with development of materials and curriculum and facilitate logistics for workshops that cover topics on gardening basics, fall planting, and winterization practices.

·Assist in administering gardener surveys to collect information for program improvement.

·Assist in gardener communications and coordination of garden-based events to facilitate cross-cultural interaction.

·Assist in development and management of garden infrastructure.

·Collect information on local community needs and promote garden activities through door-to-door outreach and surveying.

·Evaluate effectiveness of community programming on increasing healthy food access, engaging neighborhood residents, and changing food consumption behavior.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

·By the end of the internship, December 2021, the Intern will demonstrate knowledge about the benefits of community gardening and related programming for refugee and New American populations.

·By December 2021, the Intern will demonstrate an ability to communicate with limited English speakers and people from different cultures.

·By December 2021, the Intern will show an increased knowledge of best gardening practices including irrigation systems, planting and plant health, and winterization of garden beds.

·By December 2021, the Intern will demonstrate knowledge of the New Roots program and how best to promote the program to potential new clients.

·By December 2021, the Intern will demonstrate an ability to accurately administer surveys to collect beneficial data for program improvement.

·By December 2021, the Intern will demonstrate knowledge of community food systems in Salt Lake City.