Couple Transforms Chicago’s Vacant Lots into Flower Farms with the Help of At-risk Youth.

Quilen had a middle-class upbringing in Madison, Wisconsin. He joined the Peace Corps after college and then relocated to Chicago where he took a job tutoring high school students. He worked in Englewood in the South Side area of the city, and he quickly began to see some of the unique challenges faced by young people in the area.

“I started to just realize, I could be any one of these kids,” he explained. “They’re people who want a chance at something better.”

He wanted to create opportunities for the teens he tutored. In 2017, he and his wife, Hannah, launched Southside Blooms as a way to beautify the neighborhood and to provide jobs to youth. Today, the organization operates sustainable and eco-friendly flower gardens on six lots throughout the city that total 10 acres.

The young people Quilen and Hannah hire work hard growing, arranging and selling the flowers. The young staff view working there with nature as a positive fresh start in a calm, beautiful, and supportive environment.

“Truth be told, I don’t know how to make a centerpiece. I don’t know how to make a bouquet,” Quilen shared. “They’re (the youth) the ones who are leading the way.”

Once a thriving commercial district, many streets in Englewood now feature abandoned homes, boarded-up businesses and vacant lots.

“Most people will see the trash, the vacant lots,” Quilen said. “But for me, I see potential.”

At first, the couple worked to transform a vacant lot into a community food garden, which hit snags as the pair encountered regulations, lack of clean water and even toxins in the soil. They began considering flowers as an alternative, and Quilen learned that 70 percent cut flowers in the United States have been imported. 

“I said, ‘Wait a minute. Why are we importing flowers from other countries when we have all this land, and all of this youth?” he recalled thinking. ‘Maybe flowers are the answer.’”

The organization currently employs 25 young people between the ages of 16 and 24. The staff are responsible for farming the land and running the flower business. Some staff prefer to work outdoors learning basic farming skills while others work indoors learning the floristry business.

“Being out in nature gets you closer to the earth. It puts you in a good mindset,” said employee Dionta White.

Southside Blooms offers flowers for weddings and special events, and individuals can enroll in a monthly subscription to receive fresh bouquets regularly. The organization also ships flowers nationwide for free. 

 Quilen believes that helping youth is like growing flowers.

“As long as they’re getting all of the ingredients they need to be successful, there’s nothing that they can’t do,” he said. “Our young people are blossoming and blooming every single day.”

Quilen aspires to expand nationally so that youth of underserved communities in every city can benefit from empowering job opportunities that can help them blossom. Interested communities can apply to be part of Southside Blooms at www.southsideblooms.com/national-expansion. 

The Foundation for a Better Life and Passiton.com believe that Quilen and Hannah Blackwell are heroes. Their innovative approach to providing opportunities to at-risk youth is a great example of making a difference. Help us celebrate them by sharing their inspiring story. 

find video here: Video here: https://youtu.be/NGn2i0kaYCc?si=Z7b_gP-yssidcIQ3