A note regarding COVID-19: 

Thank you for your patience as we decided what the best decision for our spring Growing Futures session would be. For the safety of our community and because of national recommendations related to the COVID-19 virus, we canceled our spring 2020 Growing Futures session and did not hire any new teammates this spring. 
 
New applicants:
Though we did not hire in the spring, we are still planning to hire new teammates and crew leaders for summer 2020. If you have already applied, we will be in contact with you individually about our summer session. We are still accepting new applications for adult crew leaders, but are hiring a smaller team this season due to COVID-19 concerns and have closed teammate applications.  

Trees Forever’s Growing Futures job employment program takes a unique approach to caring for our community’s trees. Through Growing Futures, teams of teenagers are employed to help grow our tree canopy all while learning about the world around them and the potential within themselves. 
 
Growing Futures has a powerful social and environmental impact because the program prioritizes underserved neighborhoods; neighborhoods that research shows already lack tree cover and are in need of dedicated resources. Healthy trees reduce stormwater, clean the air, save energy, create beauty, and even provide us with mental and physical well-being. Together, we have the opportunity to employ young people, and build the whole person through career readiness opportunities, so that we all reap the benefits.
 
Through Growing Futures, teams of seven to ten teenagers plant, water and care for trees in Des Moines and Cedar Rapids, with the goal to expand Growing Futures to other communities. With adult supervision and training, these teenagers learn new skills that will position them to be future leaders in the community. 

Throughout the spring, summer and fall, Growing Future Teammates will:

• Plant, water and prune trees
• Mulch and stake trees
• Grow the urban forest
• Build job experience
• Improve professional skills

Teammates take part in weekly professional development training that includes:

• Resume building
• Financial literacy
• Job shadow
• Green careers
• Tree identification
• Conflict resolution
• First aid training