Submitted by: The Chrysalis Inn & Spa
Growing Alliances was the recipient of The Chrysalis Inn & Spa’s February spa donation in the amount of $1,910. Growing Alliances is a Bellingham non-profit that employs at-risk and foster youth to grow food in urban agriculture, which is then sold, donated or cooked for group meals.
While growing food, the crew simultaneously participates in weekly workshops on job skills such as public speaking and resume building, as well as workshops on the history, politics and economics of the U.S. food system. The Growing Alliances’ team works with each youth so that by the time they graduate the program, they are better equipped with the resources and connections they’ll need to reach their academic and/or career goals.
This year the organization will hire six to 14 youth to work at the plot they share with Northwest Youth Services at 1815 Ellis St.
The Chrysalis, a locally owned hotel, spa & restaurant on Fairhaven’s waterfront, has been giving one percent of monthly spa revenues to a local non-profit since February of 2017 and will continue to do so through 2018.
March’s donation recipient will be Whatcom Literacy Council, who has been dedicated to increasing the literacy skills for adults in Whatcom County since 1978.
