About Us
The mission of Stein Learning Gardens at St. Sabina is to deliver high quality garden education and community programs that create positive learning experiences, encourage healthy lifestyle choices, and increase community members’ access to fresh and affordable healthy produce.
We were founded in 2018 by local philanthropist, Barbara Stein, inspired by the work of activist priest Father Michael Pfleger in Auburn Gresham on the south side of Chicago. Since our inception, children from the community have come to the garden to learn how to grow food and develop a healthy lifestyle. In 2020 we constructed a 6,000 sq. ft. farm and community food hub site and distributed more than 5,800 home garden kits for students on Chicago’s South and West sides collaborating with Chicago Grows Food.
The Faith Community of Saint Sabina is a community of disciples where the DNA of who we are is rooted in the Word. We are committed to praise, worship and to be not only hearers of the Word but live as doers of the Word. We see our worship time as the huddle, where believers gather to get instructions, feed on God’s word, draw closer to God, and grow spiritually so when we leave the church doors we make the Word flesh and evil nervous.
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In the Media
When Grocery Stores Close, West & South Side Residents Work to Feed Their Own
A Letter From Our Executive Director, Moses Williams
Dear Friends and Supporters,
Reflecting on the past year at Stein Learning Gardens, we are filled with gratitude for the support we have received and the impact our community has made together in Auburn Gresham and beyond. It has been a year of growth, collaboration, and significant strides toward our vision of ending food and nutrition insecurity in Auburn Gresham.
Our initiatives, including Barbara’s Market, have not only helped nearly 2,800 people access high-quality, nutrient-dense foods but have also fostered a sense of community and connection among our neighbors. Additionally, our partnership with IL-EATS allowed us to complete a successful pilot of the GreenRx Prescription Produce Program. Through GreenRx, we distributed over a thousand pounds of Illinois-grown produce to people with diabetes and high blood pressure, reinforcing our commitment to ending food apartheid in our area.
Our programming for school-aged children engaged 90 children in agricultural education at St. Sabina Academy, The Ark of St Sabina, Cook Elementary, and Oglesby Elementary. We also hosted ArtSeed in the garden this summer, engaging 40 children from The Ark for five weeks in nature-related art-making. These programs foster a love for learning about food, health, and sustainability among the next generation.
We are particularly excited about the soon-to-be-completed Hydroponic Farm. This project will significantly increase our growing capacity to enhance local food production, making fresh produce more accessible to our community. We believe everyone deserves access to nutritious food, which is why our work focuses on alleviating immediate hunger and providing long-term solutions to food insecurity.
At Stein Learning Gardens, we recognize that an equitable and racially just society cannot thrive when people cannot afford the produce necessary for a healthy life. Together, we strive to dismantle the barriers that perpetuate hunger and inequality. As we look ahead to this year, our enthusiasm is fueled by the possibilities that lie before us to expand our reach and deepen our impact.
We invite you to join us in this vital work of transforming lives and nurturing our community. Every hour you volunteer, every conversation you share about our mission, and every financial contribution you make helps to build a sustainable future for Auburn Gresham. Your support is not just crucial—it becomes a lifeline for families striving for access to nutritious food. Together, we have the power to create lasting change and ensure that everyone in our community can enjoy a bountiful table filled with fresh produce and the opportunity to thrive. Will you stand with us in this mission?
Thank you for being a part of our journey. We look forward to what we can achieve together in the coming year!
With gratitude and hope,
Moses Williams
Our Sponsors
