The great state of Massachusetts is a magical land lying on the eastern coast of the United States. It's brimming with beautiful beaches, towering mountains, and bustling cities. But the most astounding part of Massachusetts isn't the Freedom Trail or Fenway Park, no sirree! It's the amazing kids who participate in gardening activities! Let me introduce you to a cool, imaginary character named Mighty Mole. He wears a red cape, blue overalls, and a yellow hard hat. Mighty Mole adores the dirt, just like those green-thumbed gardeners! He's got this superpower to burrow down deep in the earth faster than a speeding bullet. His mission? To help the kids in Massachusetts grow the most extravagant, enchanting, and exciting gardens in the world! Every morning, when the sun begins to peep over the horizon, Mighty Mole raps on the window panes of these budding gardeners. "Wake up, my little earth warriors! It's time to make the world greener," he calls. With giggles and grins, the kids grab their colorful watering cans, gleaming garden trowels, and quirky plant markers. They follow Mighty Mole into their garden plots, ready for a day of planting, watering, and laughing. These young, Massachusetts gardeners are known far and wide for their magical sunflowers that reach up to tickle the clouds, their plump, juicy tomatoes that sparkle like rubies, and their zany zucchinis that could double as alien space vehicles. All thanks to the energetic efforts of these kids and their hilarious, hardworking hero, Mighty Mole! So, if you ever find yourself in Massachusetts, don't forget to visit these verdant wonderlands cared for by the coolest kids in town.
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What began in a humble New York City apartment with just a single student, Spark, has since blossomed into an enriching program impacting thousands of children. Our unique educational approach combines the elements of art, yoga, meditation, and nature to create a holistic learning environment. This distinctive blend is what sets Spark apart, allowing us to reach and inspire a multitude of children in truly meaningful ways. With an array of offerings to accommodate various schedules and needs, Spark has something for everyone. Our services extend beyond the standard after school and weekend classes to include holiday and summer camps, birthday parties, portfolio preparation, private classes, and custom pods. We also welcome homeschool groups and are thrilled to announce the recent addition of a forest school program to our repertoire. You can find Spark on-site in various schools and at our main studio located in the Upper West Side. But we're not stopping there - we're also planning to expand to the Upper East Side and Brooklyn. For our families in Pennsylvania, we run the program from our family studio there. And if you're not in close proximity to any of our locations, don't worry. We offer in-home instruction and virtual options to ensure that Spark can reach you, no matter where you are. We invite you to explore all the ways you can experience Spark and look forward to helping bring our program to you.
The Needham Community Farm is dedicated to providing our neighbors with the resources they need to grow and learn. We are a 501(c)3 non-profit organization comprised of local volunteers who strive to create a deeper connection between our community, nature, and our food system. We offer a variety of educational opportunities, including classes on sustainable growing and nutrition. We also provide access to our farm for those who experience food insecurity. We are committed to giving our neighbors the opportunity to learn and grow. The Needham Community Farm is a community-focused organization. We are proud to provide our neighbors with the resources they need to lead healthy, productive lives. We believe that by investing in our community, we are investing in a brighter future.
Volante Farms is still owned and operated by the fourth generation of the Volante family. This family farm has been providing fresh fruits and vegetables to the Greater Boston area for over a century. It all started when Peter and Caterina Volante, immigrants from Atina, Italy, began the farm on land along Dedham Street in Newton in 1917. Peter, affectionately known as “The Celery King” was famous for his own brand of Pascal Celery, which he marketed throughout the east coast into the early 50s. By the end of the 1950s, the family farmstand, originally a tent structure which soon evolved into a small aluminum roofed building, became the primary source of income for the farm. Today, Volante Farms is still providing fresh fruits and vegetables to the Greater Boston area, and is proud to be a part of the community for over 100 years.
Spurred into action, the churches became involved in fundraising and organizing relief efforts for the orphans. Boston's North End was hit hard by the 1918 influenza epidemic, leaving hundreds of orphans in its wake. Father Antonio Sousa, O.F.M., pastor of the first Italian parish in New England, St. Leonard's Church, took it upon himself to help the suffering children. He spread his message through his sermons and letters sent to other Italian Roman Catholic Churches in the Boston Archdiocese, inspiring them to join his fundraising and relief efforts. Thanks to Father Sousa's tireless efforts, the orphans of the North End were given a second chance at life.