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One of the best things about working with such amazing social entrepreneurs is that sometimes I open the paper and read about their work just like the rest of Americans. That's what happened when I started reading the New York Times this morning. Although engrossed in an article about the debate, my eye traveled down the front page and read the headline, "Youths Dig at Urban Farm." Without reading one more word, I knew the article was about Ian Marvy and Added Value, urban garden youth development program he launched with Echoing Green’s support in 2002.

The article pointed out that Added Value turned a little-used asphalt lot into an lush urban oasis, which has resulted in working with 5,000 kids and employing 135 teenagers with steady after-school jobs. I loved the quote by Kimberly Vargas, who was said, "It's more than a job." Kimberly travels one hour by bus and subway to the garden. She stated, "It's my go-to place."

Read the full article.