Youth Group Goes Main Street

WAITSBURG - Leroy Cunningham explains the meaning of the sign that appeared last week in the empty store front window of the former "Nothing New Antiques" on Waitsburg's Main Street.

The waves that curl into one another like the yin and yang from traditional Chinese philosophy represent his nonprofit organization's goal of sustainability: being in balance with nature and the environment.

Then, he explains why the sign is there.

"It's all about local food production," he said about his plans for the space. "This will be a year-round outlet for vegetables, seasonings and preserved local foods."

And, just as importantly, it will be a place where atrisk and other local youths can learn how to become entrepreneurs in the age of sustainability.

Cunningham, the former councilman who founded Rural Green Youth Enterprises and recently obtained official nonprofit status for the organization, has signed an agreement with building owners Sandra and Lupe Torres to rent it and run the downtown lodging apartments upstairs while moving his nonprofit youth training and business program downstairs.

He is hoping to gather about 20 youths ranging in age from 11 to 26, some returning from last year's successful gardening project, to work together on everything from a new farming project on Maria and Roger Garcia's land on Garden Street to the crafting of vintagestyle health, food and nutrition wooden toys, games classes. The group will and furniture. start by selling its heirloom

The front of the former vegetables and herbs, plus Nothing New Antiques merchandise bulk beans, space will be used as the rice and other food products shop for selling produce and under its own label. wooden merchandise, while Cunningham hopes to the back will be the workshop, be open late spring from 10 office and training a.m.to- 1 p.m. daily. space for the students. He will take on the lodging "We really had no place business upstairs mostly to meet last year," said Cunningham, by himself with the possible whose RGYE support from the students board of directors also includes in running errands for the

Ann Walsh, Cathy guests. Carpenter, Mickey Richards His goal for this year and Sarah Groffman. is to raise about $20,000

"This first year (in the so the youths themselves space), we're getting our do to not have to cover the feet wet," he said. "We'll get program's costs, while he's the place organized and set also on the hunt for office up the way we want it." equipment and furniture. If

The entrepreneurial and you're interested in supporting sustainability training will RGYE's endeavor, call include gardening, business, 509-386-4954. to the crafting of vintagestyle health, food and nutrition wooden toys, games classes. The group will and furniture. start by selling its heirloom

The front of the former vegetables and herbs, plus Nothing New Antiques merchandise bulk beans, space will be used as the rice and other food products shop for selling produce and under its own label. wooden merchandise, while Cunningham hopes to the back will be the workshop, be open late spring from 10 office and training a.m.to- 1 p.m. daily. space for the students. He will take on the lodging "We really had no place business upstairs mostly to meet last year," said Cunningham, by himself with the possible whose RGYE support from the students board of directors also includes in running errands for the

Ann Walsh, Cathy guests. Carpenter, Mickey Richards His goal for this year and Sarah Groffman. is to raise about $20,000

"This first year (in the so the youths themselves space), we're getting our do to not have to cover the feet wet," he said. "We'll get program's costs, while he's the place organized and set also on the hunt for office up the way we want it." equipment and furniture. If

The entrepreneurial and you're interested in supporting sustainability training will RGYE's endeavor, call include gardening, business, 509-386-4954.