In East Orange, New Jersey, a group of determined young people came together this year to take part in National Youth Leadership Council’s (NYLC) Youth as Solutions 9/11 Day cohort. With funding provided by 9/11 Day in partnership with AmeriCorps, Youth as Solutions Peacemaking teams set out to engage underserved youth in impactful service-learning projects that would inspire unity, empathy, and peace-building in their communities. And this youth-led team, known as Operation Grow, did just that by addressing food insecurity and sovereignty in East Orange and their surrounding areas! 

The Operation Grow team began their journey with extensive research into food deserts, nutrition, and environmental justice in urban areas. Their findings underscored the pressing need for accessible, healthy food options in their community. 

“We live in food desserts by design, not by mistake,” said Sharonda, the team’s adult mentor. “This neglect that goes on is to keep Black people in a very poor health state which means you can’t be successful in other aspects of your life like academics, civics, or finding a good job.”

Partnering with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, the team launched their community garden as a pop-up activation within the Essex-Hudson Greenway. The garden quickly became a hub for the local community, offering fresh, healthy foods to residents and serving as a model for sustainable urban agriculture.

“When we’re at our garden and people come through to get fresh fruits and vegetables, the young people are amazed at how much everyone is able to leave with,” Sharonda said. “There’s a never-ending basket of produce for community members.”

Beyond cultivating the garden itself, the team made community engagement a central focus of their work. Local residents who were curious about the garden were invited to learn how to cultivate food through lessons on plant care, watering, and pruning. 

They also hosted a variety of events to educate and inspire neighbors:

• Workshops on healthy eating, pollination, and beautifying the environment
• Homeschool groups visited to learn about sustainable gardening 
• School supply giveaways to support local students’ academic success

While the project directly impacted local families, it also had a profound effect on the youth involved. Team members developed critical skills such as teamwork, problem-solving, and leadership. They learned to work collaboratively, tackle unexpected challenges, and find creative solutions together.

“I enjoyed the feeling of helping people and helping our community,” said Maeisha, one of the team’s youth participants. “We didn’t grow up in a really pretty environment and this helped us open our eyes about plants and our community. I’m grateful we got to make our community better.” 

Through their efforts, they also gained a deeper understanding of the significance of 9/11 Day. Even though these students weren’t born when 9/11 happened, this project helped them connect to serving others and understanding the United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals. 

“One thing I love about this group of young people is that they are all different,” Sharonda said. “There are different cultures and personalities and they bring that to the group. So they analyze problems together, trying to understand things through someone else’s perspective. This helps them develop empathy, integrity, honesty, patience, and trust.” 

The work for Operation Grow doesn’t end here – they plan to maintain the garden as a space of gathering and learning. They also hope to work with the Department of Environmental Protection to create a permanent, protected space for generations to come. 

Operation Grow is a testament to the power of youth leadership. By addressing a pressing community issue and honoring the memory of 9/11, these young changemakers exemplify the mission of NYLC’s Youth as Solutions program.

“This team is a shining example of what happens when young people are empowered to lead,” said Amy Meuers, NYLC’s CEO. “They didn’t just solve a problem—they created a movement.”

Operation Grow reminds us all that when youth are given the tools, guidance, and opportunity to lead, they can truly change the world.