Located at the Concordia University Loyola Gardens (NDG), thriving]in[between is an experimental youth garden and research project for youth aged 14 - 17. Launched in the spring of 2025, thriving]in[between operates through partnerships with other local community organizations that seek to support youth engagement and learning through experience for underrepresented teenagers who may experience barriers to green initiatives. Through weekly hands-on gardening sessions, participants build skills, confidence, and connection while exploring urban gardening in a supportive, community-led environment. It offers everyone the chance to reconnect with the land, with each other, and with new ways of learning and growing.
How can I participate?
Any youth, who is a member of this seasons partnered organization, aged 14–17 can sign up to take part in the thriving]in[between workshops—no gardening experience needed! If you're also interested in contributing to the research part of the project, you'll need to attend at least 70% of the workshops and complete a short weekly journal reflection [ethics approval is currently conditional, research component may be removed altogether].
Any youth, who is a member of this seasons partnered organization, aged 14–17 can sign up to take part in the thriving]in[between workshops—no gardening experience needed! If you're also interested in contributing to the research part of the project, you'll need to attend at least 70% of the workshops and complete a short weekly journal reflection [ethics approval is currently conditional, research component may be removed altogether].
Whether you join just for the workshops or the research too, you're welcome in the garden!
What is the research?
The research looks at how learning through gardening and spending time with others can support confidence, connection, and knowledge about growing your own food. It explores how these kinds of experiences can help young people feel more capable in green spaces and more in control of their relationship with food. Your stories and reflections will help inform future youth programs and conversations with policymakers—your voice matters and can help inspire real change.
The research looks at how learning through gardening and spending time with others can support confidence, connection, and knowledge about growing your own food. It explores how these kinds of experiences can help young people feel more capable in green spaces and more in control of their relationship with food. Your stories and reflections will help inform future youth programs and conversations with policymakers—your voice matters and can help inspire real change.
How is the research done?
If you choose to take part in the research, you’ll be asked to attend at least 9 out of the 13 workshops and create a short journal entry each week about your experience. These entries can be in any format you like—writing, drawing, voice recordings, or photos—whatever helps you express yourself best. Just make sure your entry includes a short description so the researcher understands what you’re trying to share. At the end of the program, the researcher will review everyone’s entries to look for common themes and ideas. Your reflections may be included in the final write-up to keep the process transparent and show your perspective.
If you choose to take part in the research, you’ll be asked to attend at least 9 out of the 13 workshops and create a short journal entry each week about your experience. These entries can be in any format you like—writing, drawing, voice recordings, or photos—whatever helps you express yourself best. Just make sure your entry includes a short description so the researcher understands what you’re trying to share. At the end of the program, the researcher will review everyone’s entries to look for common themes and ideas. Your reflections may be included in the final write-up to keep the process transparent and show your perspective.