Our Summer 2022 Teen Staff
Support a new generation of leaders
The Art Garden's Teen Job Hub employs 9 Binghampton youth who partner with adult staff to sustain our programs and spaces. Your support makes it possible for these amazing teens to experience the thrill of a first job, grow as leaders in a loving, collaborative environment, and serve as models of hope and motivation for younger Art Garden members.
Meet Ja’Darius
Photos from Ja’Darius’ first days at the Art Garden, when he first found out he was hired to the Teen Job Hub, trips he has taken with us, and photos from this year working in the Community Garden and our Farmer’s Market.
Ja’Darius is a teen staff member of the Community Garden team. During the beginning months of the pandemic, Ja’Darius took what he learned working in the gardens and created a vegetable garden at home for his family. Ja’Darius is also a talented artist and created this year’s Valentine card for our partners.
“I knew about the Art Garden through my Auntie. I was always bored at the house and she wanted to take me somewhere so we came up to the Purple House and the first thing I did at the garden was a birdhouse.
I think the Art Garden is important because of community and stuff. When I first came to the Art Garden people were showing me that they cared about me. When kids come to the Art Garden it’s like a big family. My favorite thing I have ever done with the Art Garden is the out of town trips.”.
Memphis Magazine, August 2020
Triumph Bank’s mission is to make banking simpler for communities throughout Memphis. Personal connections make lasting impacts, so Triumph Bank mentors and educates groups of all ages around Memphis on financial literacy.
Last summer (2019), Triumph Bank began a program with the teen staff at Carpenter Art Garden based on the book Pay Yourself First. Teens were taught about the different types of bank accounts, about credit, and about creating financial goals with a savings plan in mind. In the fall, Triumph invited guest speakers with expertises and businesses that matched the teens’ career interests. The Pay Yourself First program is an example of how Triumph Bank uses personal connections and transparency about the financial hardships to leave communities more knowledgeable and inspired to chase their goals when they are presented a road map.
