The Evolved Network NFP

Today at National Teacher’s Academy, we’re bringing a farmers market into the school day.

Not as a one-off event, but as a living extension of how young people come to understand food—where it comes from, who grows it, and what it means to engage with it directly. Farmers, chefs, students, and families sharing the same space, in real time.

It’s a simple shift, but an important one. Moving food from something abstract to something experienced—touched, tasted, asked about, and understood.

Grateful to the farmers, partners, and educators who make this possible, and to the students who continue to show us what curiosity looks like when given the space to grow.

How did you celebrate Earth Day? At TEN, we made bird feeders with our third graders.

At Ray Elementary, we used cardboard, peanut butter or coconut oil, and bird seed. The kids enjoyed mixing the food and building the feeders by hand before hanging them throughout the garden.

There isn’t always enough food for birds to find, even in green spaces. So we made some.

On this day, we honor Sebastian’s aunt, Gwen Barjon. We lost her on Earth Day, and her way of caring for the world lives on through moments like this.

Dear TEN Community,

The world feels loud right now — fast, fractured, and often overwhelming. In the midst of all that, we are asked to be thoughtful about what we give our energy and attention to. What we protect. What we continue to return to.

For us, the focus remains clear: the kids.

In 2025, 722 Chicago youth engaged in TEN programming across our partner schools. Most returned for multiple sessions, allowing trust to build over time and relationships to deepen in meaningful ways. This work is not defined by single moments, but by steady presence and sustained commitment.

Our 2025 Impact Report shares what that work looked like in practice: the growth of our programs, the strengthening of our partnerships, and the continued evolution of The Evolved Network Way.

Thank you for continuing to stand with young people and with us. We invite you to read the full report and see how this work continues to unfold across our communities.

Available on our website, link in bio.