Community gardens offer opportunities to teach youth  where food comes from, the importance of community and stewardship, and about issues of environmental sustainability.  

Working in My Mother's Community Garden,  Peoria Public high school students gain firsthand knowledge on how their work in urban agriculture address some of the food inequities many urban areas are facing. 

My Mother's Garden is run by volunteers whose sole purpose is: 

 To create and sustain naturally grown produce for the purpose of providing healthy food to those in need. 

To educate the community on green ways of producing nutritious foods.

To provide education opportunities for high school students participating in urban agriculture 

To assist in improving social outcomes

To maintain and improve the environment for the next generation

 In addition to providing a significant source of food for those facing food insecurities,  My Mother's Community Garden offers cultural opportunities to produce traditional crops otherwise unavailable locally.  The community garden also provides exposure to cultural traditions that are shared. 

My Mother's Community Garden brings people together from a wide variety of backgrounds.  

Community gardening is recognized by many police departments as an effective community crime prevention strategies.   

Urban agriculture creates healthy habitats and improves the ecology of the area, making it beneficial for humans, plants and animals. My Mother's Community Garden also helps to reduce negative environmental impacts by promoting sustainable agriculture, reducing food transportation costs and reducing water runoff.