Programs
Building Purpose, One Pathway at a Time
At Choices Mentoring, our programs are designed to meet young people and returning citizens right where they are—with structure, support, and second chances. Whether through vocational training, mentorship, or community engagement, each program gives participants the tools to take control of their future.
Greenhouse & Community Garden Initiative
Our urban agriculture program transforms vacant lots into living classrooms. Participants gain hands-on experience in greenhouse operations, composting, container gardening, and food production. In the process, they learn discipline, responsibility, and environmental stewardship—while helping to beautify and nourish their own neighborhoods.
Who It Serves:
Youth, formerly incarcerated individuals, and residents of underserved communities
Skills Learned:
Horticulture, sustainability, teamwork, community pride
Restorative Justice & Reentry Program
This program provides returning citizens with transitional housing, life skills, and paid landscaping and beautification work as an alternative to traditional halfway houses. Participants complete probation requirements while gaining trade skills and reconnecting to their communities through service.
Who It Serves:
Formerly incarcerated individuals and parolees
Skills Learned:
Landscaping, time management, job readiness, accountability
Violence Prevention Program
Through workshops, group sessions, and peer mentorship, this program teaches youth how to de-escalate conflict, avoid negative peer influence, and become leaders in peaceful change. The curriculum includes real-life scenarios, roleplay, and guided discussions.
Who It Serves:
Youth ages 9–18, particularly system-involved or at-risk
Skills Learned:
Conflict resolution, decision-making, peer leadership
50-Yard Challenge (Youth Entrepreneurship)
In partnership with Raising Men Lawn Care, this program challenges youth on probation to mow 50 lawns in their community. Those who complete the challenge receive equipment, LLC startup support, and 13 weeks of entrepreneur training to launch their own lawn care business.
Who It Serves:
Youth on probation
Skills Learned:
Business development, customer service, financial literacy, lawn care
Arts & Activism Program
Participants explore issues that impact their communities—violence, justice, identity—through creative expression and civic engagement. The program includes mural projects, spoken word events, and art-based workshops that encourage both healing and action.
Who It Serves:
Youth ages 12–18
Skills Learned:
Creative expression, advocacy, collaboration
Beautification & Composting Program
This initiative engages youth and volunteers in cleaning up neighborhoods, managing waste, and collecting compostable material for use in local gardens. It promotes environmental responsibility while giving participants a sense of pride in reclaiming their spaces.
Who It Serves:
Youth and returning citizens
Skills Learned:
Composting, teamwork, community service
Soapbox Derby Program
The Soapbox Derby Program at Choices Mentoring offers youth an exciting, hands-on STEM-based experience that builds character, engineering skills, and community pride. Participants learn to assemble and customize their own soapbox cars from kits and then race them in a friendly competition that teaches sportsmanship, focus, and perseverance. Youth work in teams or individually under the guidance of mentors, gaining valuable mechanical and teamwork experience. Winners receive prizes, and all participants gain a deep sense of accomplishment and positive reinforcement.
Who It Serves:
Youth interested in STEM, engineering, and hands-on learning
Skills Learned:
Engineering, mechanical skills, teamwork, sportsmanship, perseverance
Shed2Shelter – Tiny House Program
Shed2Shelter is an innovative initiative that empowers clients to transform pre-built sheds into livable, functional spaces such as tiny homes, offices, or mobile businesses. Through hands-on instruction in painting, interior design, basic electrical, insulation, and construction techniques, participants build real-world skills that prepare them for trade careers or self-employment. These finished structures are marketed as affordable housing or small commercial units, helping solve local housing needs while giving participants tangible outcomes they helped create.
Who It Serves:
Youth and adults seeking trade skills and affordable housing solutions
Skills Learned:
Construction, painting, interior design, electrical, insulation, entrepreneurship
ReClaim & ReBuild – Property Rehab Program
ReClaim & ReBuild is Choices Mentoring’s neighborhood revitalization initiative. Participants are trained to assess, rehab, and refurbish older, neglected homes throughout Monroe. Working under supervision, they learn foundational skills in demolition, framing, drywall, plumbing, painting, and landscaping. These properties are transformed into clean, safe, and modern residences—ready for new life. Not only does this program equip participants with valuable trade skills, but it also contributes to reducing blight, boosting neighborhood pride, and creating affordable housing solutions.
Who It Serves:
Youth and returning citizens seeking construction trade skills
Skills Learned:
Demolition, framing, drywall, plumbing, painting, landscaping, property assessment
Seeds of Change – Greenhouse-to-Community Floral & Training Initiative
Seeds of Change is Choices Mentoring’s innovative adaptation of the farm-to-vase movement—combining sustainable flower farming, job training, and community revitalization. Participants work in our greenhouse and garden spaces across Monroe, Louisiana, learning every step of the floral supply chain—from seed planting and harvesting to bouquet prep and customer service. Bouquets grown through the program are sold via community flower subscriptions, events, and local partners. A portion of every harvest is donated to senior centers, shelters, and community beautification projects—spreading joy while giving back. This program creates real pathways to economic independence while transforming blighted spaces into vibrant floral hubs.
Who It Serves:
Youth and returning citizens
Skills Learned:
Floral farming, greenhouse cultivation, entrepreneurship, CSA subscription model, workforce training
Dream It, Build It – The Invention & Innovation Cohort
Dream It, Build It is a groundbreaking six-month cohort program designed to unlock the creativity and entrepreneurial potential of young men—particularly those who are justice-involved, underserved, or seeking a second chance. Each week, participants explore their ideas for new inventions, product improvements, or solutions to everyday challenges in a supportive, hands-on environment. At the end of each month, a panel selects one viable idea to develop further through workshops covering prototyping, intellectual property education, business planning, and pitch preparation. By the end of the program, participants gain practical entrepreneurship experience and the opportunity to turn an idea into a launch-ready product or service.
Who It Serves:
Young men who are justice-involved, underserved, or seeking a second chance
Skills Learned:
Prototyping, product development, intellectual property, business planning, crowdfunding, pitch preparation
📸 Explore Our SEDD Event Galleries
Take a look at highlights from our recent SEDD community events. Browse photos and videos from each event to see our youth, programs, and impact in action.
Want to Learn More or Get Involved?
Join us in making a difference in the lives of youth and returning citizens.