The HEAL Project

I've been volunteering with The HEAL Project for almost 5 months now, and the work they do truly inspires me. They positively impact lives with their field trips, camps, and volunteer activities. The San Mateo County School Farm is a magical place with beautiful scenery, and anyone, of any age, is fortunate to spend a day there! They have taught me so much about the importance of farm and garden education in teaching environmental literacy.

Watching The HEAL Project in action in our community is very inspiring. Seeing school children observe veggies they planted grow in the garden and then selling them at the local Farmer's Market is just part of what this great non-profit does. It's also educating youth about making healthy choices regarding exercise and the foods they eat and much, much more. I know all the children that are able to experience this program will benefit not only themselves, but also their families, in a positive way.

I took great pride watching my daughter charge customers at the HEAL booth, tally up their bill, record figures in a ledger and pack their produce to go. What a great learning experience in commerce! On a broader scale, any program that teaches kids proper nutrition or physical fitness is a 5 star program in my book. Thank you for your great work.

Our oldest boys ( 6th grade, 3rd grade) have gone through The H.E.A.L. Project’s (THP) 34 week program at Hatch Elementary School and I look forward to our younger boys (5 yrs, 3 yrs) having the experience once they begin school at Hatch. In fact, my five year old will start Kindergarten in the fall and has heard so much about HEAL from his older brothers that he counts it as quite a privilege to finally have his turn!

I can say emphatically and absolutely that their experience in THP program has had a long term impact. I remember my sixth grade son coming home from school after the first couple weeks of THP and at dinner, reporting on all of his new discoveries about gardening and the health benefits of eating fruits and vegetables from an organic garden. His knowledge grew as well as his ability to take what he was learning and apply it to his own life (eg. what he chooses to eat and how those decisions affect how his body feels). For my third grader, THP opened up a whole new love for cooking. He was already familiar with the content of the class but was then able to take that information and use it in the kitchen at home. He will routinely open up his hand-made recipe book and make something from it for his after-school snack (his current favorite is sautéing garbanzo beans with garlic and spinach!).

I am confident that my boys' experience with THP will continue to have long term impact. As a family, we are both grateful for and encouraged by the work of THP.

The HEAL Project is one of the true gems of the San Mateo Coastside. Coastside children in the Cabrillo Unified School District have the opportunity, starting in Kindergarten, to learn about healthy eating, sustainable farming and science in The HEAL Project's school gardens. HEAL's powerful curriculum combines all these elements in an age-appropriate fashion through High School. What's even more remarkable is that the school district doesn't pay a dime for this unique program. Am confident that the children who have experienced The HEAL Project will naturally make better food choices, live healthier lives and take better care of the earth's natural resources!

The HEAL Project is a wonderful resource for our community. Both of my daughters have participated in the program and the level of knowledge and empowerment I see in them due to their participation in the HEAL Project is impressive. Both of them have worked at The HEAL Project stand at the Half Moon Bay Farmer's market. I have been so impressed to hear them talk to strangers about the produce they are selling, how it was grown and share details of what The HEAL Project is. They have such a sense of pride and excitement. Not only are they learning about the science of growing vegetables but also about the economic and business side. They also have sense of empowerment. My 9 year old now regularly makes the grilled beet recipe she learned with HEAL. All of this is an addition to the the work done with educating the children about the importance of nutrition and exercise through practical, hands on teaching. The HEAL Project is a model of excellence and I am proud to call myself a donor and to have my children benefit from this wonderful program.

I have experienced the powerful work of the HEAL program since its inceptions. As a teacher, several classes of my students have gone through the program. Students were always thrilled with their classes and full of enthusiasm towards the new fruits and vegetables they were able to try. Students' knowledge of their health, the environment, and agriculture grew every year as a result of the strong curriculum, teaching, and experiential education. Lessons are always hands on, and in many cases utilize the expertise of local community members. Throughout their two HEAL semesters, the students are amazed to see their garden work go full circle with the seasons. They truly internalize many healthy enduring understandings that will last a lifetime.

I served as an AmeriCorps member with The HEAL Project in 2011. With three years of experience in organic food systems, I was able to expand my knowledge of youth education and community outreach through the many opportunities and support this organization offered. I am not sure how to label my position - farmer's market leader, summer school teacher, school farm assistant, garden club assistant - I learned a very diverse set of skills. The HEAL Project fostered independent growth and experiential learning which allowed me to gain knowledge in both areas of interest and needed development. I truly enjoyed working with everyone at THP, Cabrillo United School District, parents, and especially students - Thanks for the opportunity to work with you!

My daughter has participated in the HEAL Program at Hatch Elementary School and in addition has also praticipated in some of the summer programs as well as weekend farmer's market. HEAL was one of her favorite classes at school and she still has fond memories of it. She is so thrilled with HEAL that she now takes a major part in our vegetable garden at home. I am so happy that HEAL has reinforced healthy eating and care for the environment not only for my family but for the community. Thanks HEAL! Rosa, Hatch parent

As the parent of a third grade girl, I can say that the HEAL program has been a highlight of her school year. Our dinner table frequently includes her treasured knowledge about vegetables, fruit, pumpkin butter, worms, bees, and the like-- with lovely little songs that incorporate all of the above. Thank you HEAL for helping my child develop a keen awareness for healthy eating and the environment. Deb Hedger, PTO President Hatch Elementary.

I'm not a parent. However, after researching the work done by the HEAL Project (past & present) and their future goals the importance of this project not only to the community but as a model for other communities made supporting them a 'no brainer'. Good education is invaluable to society, I believe the Heal Project is doing such.

The HEAL program at Hatch School has been, for two years now, my son's favorite activity. We are vegetarians, and maintain a pretty healthy lifestyle , so some of the information is not new. However, I believe my son enjoys celebrating health with his peers. The instructors are fabulous; the delivery of the curriculum is fantastic. The extracurricular opportunities, such as volunteering at the farmer's market are quite special and my son looks forward to it all year. The recipes he brings home are delicious! My only "complaint" is that we can't have instruction all year round. I can't say enough positive things about the program. Thanks,HEAL! - Hatch Parent

I am a Alternative Ed. high school Teacher in the Cabrillo Unified School District of Half Moon Bay. The Heal Project has helped us with numerous projects this year to enhance the education of the children we serve. We have started a garden at the school and are working to provide Health Ed. Classes to our students. We also have worked with Heal to start an after-school sports program where our students work as leaders for younger kids at the elementary school nearby. Heal provides us with volunteers who have the expertise and dedication to really improve the overall quality of our student's education. They have also helped us to receive grant funding to build a bigger garden at the school and have provided funding for us to go on a field trip to their local farm to learn about sustainable agriculture.

As a founding board member I have been involved in every aspect of the HEAL Project, which aims to instill respect for personal and environmental health in students in the Cabrillo Unified School District Since begun as a pilot project in 1996, over 3000 students have benefited from HEAL to date.