October 28, 2025 | Education

A Classroom of Our Own

Cultivate Hope’s New Addition

For years, Matthew 25’s education programs have thrived in the gardens, greenhouse, and open-air spaces at the Cultivate Hope Urban Farm. Students learned while planting seeds in the soil, food campers experimented with fresh produce under the sun, and youth gathered outdoors for hands-on lessons. But as our programs grew, so did the need for something more: a dedicated indoor space for learning.

This past summer, that dream became a reality. Thanks to the generous support of the Giacoletto Foundation, the Urban Farm now has its very own indoor classroom—complete with desks, chairs, whiteboard, and the tools needed to support interactive, creative learning.

When Education Leader Kendal Hausmann first saw the completed classroom, she was moved to tears. “Seeing a classroom all put together is so cool—it is a special place all our students can call their own. A place to store their supplies and even their lunch. A fun and safe place to be.”

The classroom has been busy since completion. Projects and discussions immediately became favorites for Youth Development Program students. Kid campers’ artwork brightens the space. More than four walls, it’s a learning home.

The redesigned classroom eliminates weather-related camp and class cancellations. Students can work on their indoor projects, which include workshops on nutrition, environmental justice, and career goals. The dedicated room also makes time for field trips, learning with technology, and more in-depth thinking.

“We still do as much as we can outdoors,” Kendal shares, “but having this space allows us to gather, reflect, and learn in all seasons. It’s the greatest thing ever.”

The classroom is already impacting food camps, field trips, and youth programs, but its potential goes far beyond. Matthew 25 hopes to add cooking facilities, additional STEM programming, and a weather station in the future. We also see it becoming a community space—open to neighborhood groups, scout troops, and others looking for a safe, welcoming place to gather.

This classroom is more than just a building. It’s an investment in youth, in education, and in the future of food and community. It’s becoming not just a classroom of our own—but a classroom for everyone.

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