In honor of Autism Month, students from the College Internship Program (CIP) Long Beach Center rolled up their sleeves and spent a meaningful day volunteering with Sowing Seeds of Change, a local nonprofit urban farm dedicated to empowering young adults through agricultural education and vocational training.
Located in the heart of Long Beach, Sowing Seeds of Change was founded by Lindsay Smith and Dina Feldman with a mission to engage participants in local food systems and promote healthy living. The organization’s inclusive programs focus on supporting young adults and transition-aged foster youth, offering them real-world experiences that build valuable life and work skills.
Although CIP Long Beach has partnered with Sowing Seeds of Change before, this was the first time the opportunity was offered as a community service event to all students—making it an especially powerful way to celebrate Autism Month together.
Students eagerly participated in a variety of tasks, including harvesting, planting, weeding, mulching, and composting. Lindsay Smith guided students through each process, providing hands-on learning experiences that made a lasting impression. Along the way, students got the chance to taste freshly harvested strawberries and blackberries straight from the vines—a sweet reminder of the rewards that come from hard work and care for the environment.
Beyond the gardening activities, students had an opportunity to reconnect with nature, breathe in the fresh air, and enjoy the simple satisfaction of working the soil—an experience that brought both personal fulfillment and a strong sense of community.
CIP is proud to partner with organizations like Sowing Seeds of Change that align with our mission of fostering independence, skill-building, and community engagement for young adults on the autism spectrum and with learning differences.
CIP Long Beach is excited to share they will continue their partnership with Sowing Seeds of Change on a weekly basis during the upcoming Summer Program. In addition, discussions are already underway to establish SSC as one of CIP Long Beach’s partner sites for the C-STEP program this fall, offering students even more opportunities for hands-on learning, skill-building, and community engagement
We look forward to many more opportunities to support and grow alongside this inspiring organization!