Celebrating Growth: Our Urban Agriculture Youth Fall Cohort Visits Universal Studios

In December 2025, Champions in Service treated our Urban Agriculture Program youth fall cohort to a special day at Universal Studios! This trip was more than just a fun outing, it was a celebration of the hard work, dedication, and growth our participants showed throughout the fall season.

The youth cohort spent the past few months learning hands-on skills in gardening, California native plant care, and animal stewardship, while also developing teamwork, responsibility, and leadership through our Urban Agriculture Employment Program. To recognize their accomplishments, we wanted to give them an experience that was exciting, rewarding, and memorable.

Why Field Trips Like This Are Important

For the youth in our programs, opportunities like this go far beyond entertainment:

  • Motivation and Recognition: Celebrating achievements in a tangible way helps reinforce the value of hard work and perseverance.
  • Exposure to New Experiences: Visiting a major theme park allows participants to explore spaces they might not otherwise have access to.
  • Team Building and Social Skills: Shared experiences in a fun environment strengthen peer connections and foster collaboration.
  • Positive Reinforcement: Linking effort with rewards helps youth develop a growth mindset and encourages continued engagement in programs.

Seeing the excitement on the faces of our participants as they explored rides, shows, and attractions reminded us why these outings are so important. They’re a chance to reward success, build confidence, and create joyful memories that complement the skills learned in our programs.

At Champions in Service, we’re committed to supporting youth growth both inside and outside the classroom, cultivating not just gardens, but resilient, confident, and inspired young people ready to thrive in their communities.

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Touchdowns and Togetherness: Champions in Service Takes Clients to the Rams vs. Seahawks Game

In November 2025, Champions in Service took a big step in creating memorable experiences for our clients, bringing 50 clients and 20 staff members to see the Rams take on the Seahawks! This field trip wasn’t just about the thrill of the game; it was about opening doors, building connections, and exposing our clients to new experiences.

Our group included participants from both youth and adult programs, spanning from reentry clients to those involved in intervention programs. For many, this was their first opportunity to attend a professional sports event, and it provided a safe, supportive environment to enjoy something outside of daily challenges.

Why Experiences Like This Matter

For the populations we serve, access to recreational and cultural experiences is often limited. Many of our clients face barriers such as low income, involvement in the justice system, or social isolation. Field trips like this:

  • Broaden Horizons: Introducing clients to new environments and experiences helps expand their worldview and inspires curiosity.
  • Encourage Positive Social Interaction: Sharing an exciting, structured outing allows clients to build relationships with peers and staff in a natural, supportive setting.
  • Build Confidence and Community: Stepping into new spaces helps clients feel included, valued, and capable of engaging in society in meaningful ways.
  • Support Emotional Well-being: Fun, recreational activities reduce stress and provide joy, important for both youth and adults navigating complex life challenges.

Whether cheering for the Rams, exploring the stadium, or connecting with staff and peers, the field trip reinforced the importance of experiences that go beyond traditional programming. It was a reminder that sometimes the biggest wins aren’t measured on a scoreboard, but in the confidence, joy, and connection our clients carry home.

At Champions in Service, we’re committed to creating opportunities that inspire growth, foster belonging, and provide experiences that our clients can carry with them long after the final whistle.

Growing Wellness: How Our Garden and Urban Agriculture Programs Are Empowering Families in the Northeast San Fernando Valley

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Since 2023, Champions in Service has been cultivating more than just plants, we’ve been nurturing community wellness. With the support of a $75,000 grant from Best Start San Fernando Valley (SFV), a First 5 LA initiative that funds community-led projects through its United in Action process, we began our journey to create spaces where families could come together, connect with nature, and improve their overall well-being.

Planting the Seeds of Wellness

Our original program, the Nature and Family Wellness Program, focused on supporting families in neighborhoods like Sylmar, Pacoima, San Fernando, Panorama City, North Hills, and Sun Valley. Through weekly parent support groups, families engaged in discussions about physical and mental health, nutrition, and stress reduction techniques. These conversations were paired with hands-on experiences in our wellness garden, nature walks, and monthly family field trips to hiking trails, parks, and beaches.

Gardening became more than a hobby, it was a tool for building resilience. Families explored healthy eating through planting fruits and vegetables, learned stress management through nature-based activities, and strengthened community bonds by sharing experiences and supporting one another. Along the way, our garden grew to include chickens and rabbits, adding a fun and educational dimension for the children and parents who participated.

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Since 2023, Champions in Service has been cultivating more than just plants, we’ve been nurturing community wellness. With the support of a $75,000 grant from Best Start San Fernando Valley (SFV), a First 5 LA initiative that funds community-led projects through its United in Action process, we began our journey to create spaces where families could come together, connect with nature, and improve their overall well-being.

Planting the Seeds of Wellness

Our original program, the Nature and Family Wellness Program, focused on supporting families in neighborhoods like Sylmar, Pacoima, San Fernando, Panorama City, North Hills, and Sun Valley. Through weekly parent support groups, families engaged in discussions about physical and mental health, nutrition, and stress reduction techniques. These conversations were paired with hands-on experiences in our wellness garden, nature walks, and monthly family field trips to hiking trails, parks, and beaches.

Gardening became more than a hobby, it was a tool for building resilience. Families explored healthy eating through planting fruits and vegetables, learned stress management through nature-based activities, and strengthened community bonds by sharing experiences and supporting one another. Along the way, our garden grew to include chickens and rabbits, adding a fun and educational dimension for the children and parents who participated.

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A Community of Support

The heart of the program was the relationships formed among our participants. Primarily Spanish-speaking mothers came together each week to discuss challenges, share experiences of trauma, and support each other’s growth. The program offered more than just physical and mental wellness resources, it created a safe, empowering space for families to learn, connect, and thrive.

Growing with Urban Agriculture

After a brief pause due to funding constraints, our garden program grew into a new opportunity: the Urban Agriculture Employment Program, launched in September 2025 with support from the Ballmer Group through the Urban Peace Institute (UPI). This paid, hands-on program provides community members with skills in gardening, CA native plant landscaping, and environmental stewardship while caring for our chickens and rabbits.

Participants in this seasonal program gain practical experience, earn a monthly stipend, and learn how to apply sustainable urban agriculture practices. The program also nurtures leadership, teamwork, and community engagement, empowering participants to take an active role in shaping healthier neighborhoods.

Looking Ahead

From our first seedlings in 2023 to our current urban agriculture initiative, our programs have always been about more than just gardening. They’re about planting the seeds of wellness, supporting mental and physical health, fostering community connections, and creating opportunities for growth.

We are proud to continue nurturing our garden and our community, and we invite neighbors, families, and supporters to join us in cultivating wellness, one plant, one conversation, and one shared experience at a time.

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Celebrating Resilience: A Youth Graduation Story

At Champions in Service, we provide wrap-around services to young people and families navigating challenges like trauma, poverty, and violence. We’re honored to celebrate the milestones of the youth we support, and today, we want to highlight one remarkable young man from our community who recently graduated.

He shared a powerful message at his graduation about perseverance, growth, and the impact of support:

“For a long time, I never imagined myself at a moment like this… My journey wasn’t easy. There were days I wanted to give up. Days I questioned if I was enough. Days I carried the weight of my past like a shadow. But I kept going. I kept pushing. And little by little, I started healing. I started finding myself again. I started becoming someone I’m proud of, someone my daughter will be proud of.”

This story reflects our agency’s mission: to provide guidance, resources, and opportunities that help young people overcome barriers, rebuild their lives, and realize their potential. With support from caring staff, mentors, and programs that address mental health, education, and life skills, youth like him are able to turn struggle into strength.

“To anyone who has ever felt like I did: You are not too broken to grow. You are not too lost to be found. And you are not too far gone to build a life you’re proud of. Sometimes the strongest people aren’t the ones who never struggled; they’re the ones who went through the fire and came out standing.”

Graduations like this remind us why we do what we do. Every day, our youth face challenges we may not see, yet they continue to fight, grow, and achieve. We are proud to celebrate this graduate and every young person taking steps toward a brighter future.

Congratulations to the class of 2025!

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