VEC has become an anchor in the community for support and empowerment with programs that range from arts and cultural events to financial aid for entrepreneurs with small businesses, to providing over 2,500 lbs of fresh produce to families in need while at the same time training people in our Village Farms to enter the workforce with valuable skills.

Community: Local Roots, Statewide Reach Village Exchange Center serves marginalized communities across Colorado, meeting people where they are and building pathways to opportunity. While our work is anchored in our community center in Northwest Aurora, our impact is felt statewide.

The benefits of the Village Farm are twofold: in addition to providing produce for folks in need, the Urban Farming Immersion program teaches participants how to grow food using regenerative practices. The Urban Farming Immersion training program pays participants to learn core competencies in growing food using sustainable practices and job readiness skills through hands-on experiential learning and classroom instruction. The curriculum focuses on the importance of building community and provides horticultural lessons from Tufts University’s farmer and job training program.