Humans of Sweet Water...Meet David Snowdy and Jordan Graham

Humans of Sweet Water...Meet Dave Snowdy and Jordan Graham. Dave (Mentor) and Jordan (Apprentice and Peer Mentor) have both been part of the SWF core team for years. Their relationship as Mentor and Apprentice demonstrates the unique model that Sweet Water Foundation uses to teach and engage lifelong learners in the practice of Regenerative Neighborhood Development. This month, we invite you to learn more about Dave and Jordan’s experience at Sweet Water and their relationship as Mentor and Apprentice. Read on to learn more.

How did you hear about Sweet Water Foundation? 

Dave: I was a student at Chicago State University back in 2011 studying Sociology. Emmanuel Pratt, SWF’s Executive Director, was my professor in a Community Development class. He introduced me to the concept of aquaponics and I began to develop a thesis regarding urban agriculture and the community. Long story short, I stopped writing about it and started doing it. I’ve enjoyed working with Sweet Water Foundation ever since.

Jordan: About three years ago, I was working with my uncle doing housing stuff and my cousin, who worked at Sweet Water, invited me to come with him one day. I had no idea what to expect. I was amazed when I saw Sweet Water for the first time because I had never seen anything like this in Chicago. After I volunteered for a little bit, Emmanue, asked me to stick around, and I’ve been here ever since. It is a blessing to be here. I'm glad to be a part of this. There is no other place like this.

What is your role here? 

Dave: I am a Mentor at Sweet Water Foundation. As part of a team, I don't want to say I do any one thing in particular. We have our skilled craftsmen, our union carpenters, our carpenters-in-training and, as far as my contribution goes, I’m part of quality assurance and education for apprentices. 

Jordan: I consider myself both an Apprentice and a Peer Mentor. As an Apprentice, I am still learning both farm and carpentry work. As a Peer Mentor, I help other apprentices who come through our programming. I like to tell them about what we do here and teach them how to do gardening and carpentry work. I like to do anything that helps grow the neighborhood. I consider SWF more than a job. I consider it as home.

Can you share a little bit about what it means to be a Mentor, Peer Mentor, and Apprentice here at SWF?

Dave:  From my perspective, the difference between mentors and peer mentors is that, as a mentor, my number one responsibility is to demonstrate leadership, not only for the Apprentices, but also for the Peer Mentors and anyone else who comes to The Commons. If I'm not doing what's expected, how can I expect Jordan to do what’s expected? No one will exist and progress, if we are not shown how to do it. That's where leadership through mentorship comes in.

Jordan:  I have been with Sweet Water Foundation for about three years, so a new apprentice might not have the same skills as me in farming, gardening, and carpentry. Generally, apprentices are my peers, so I am in a position to not only impart what I’ve learned from mentors, but the age similarities between us help me have a direct relationship and easy connection with them.  

Why does the work we do here at SWF matter for apprentices? 

Dave:  Here at SWF, we don’t just work with youth. We also work with adults, community members, local organizations, volunteers, etc... who are all community resources. The work we do is important for apprentices because it gives them skills that make them employable. The people who come to Sweet Water are gateways for apprentices. But, without employable skills, those gates may not be open. 

Jordan:  I agree with Dave. When I first started coming here, I didn't know anything about farming, gardening, or carpentry. I learned not just from from people like Dave and the other mentors, but also from the visitors who come in. Everybody here teaches me new skills that I’m able to take back home and show to my friends and family. The things I’m learning are helping prepare me for the future. 

Do you think it’s important for folks from all walks of life to be part of The Academy?

Dave: Through The Academy, SWF not only provides youth and local residents an opportunity to develop trades, it also provides an opportunity for those in higher education to actually get a hands-on feeling of what development actually looks like. So that when they are in a position to write and rewrite policy, their hands-on experience at SWF will be a reminder of what is really important at the community level to make it happen. The Academy grounds people in practice and gives them hands-on experiences.

Jordan: I think it’s important for lots of people to be here and be in the mix because they can teach us something that we don't know and we can teach them things too. I know that we know a lot about farming/gardening, carpentry, and other things here at SWF that we can teach them and they bring new ideas to the table that we don't know too! 

Is there anything that you look forward to?

Dave:  Sweet Water Foundation has plans that I look forward to. SWF gives us an opportunity to not only introduce, students volunteers, and residents to our practice of Regenerative Neighborhood Development, but it also gives us an opportunity to continue our own growth. We’ve all had our hands on building the RND House and renovating the [Re]Construction House, which are regenerative and creative places.

The structure of The Commons is in its place and is already receiving enough community attention to be considered an accomplishment. And while all that it's nice, when we start building houses from the ground up, that will be the next part of our growth. That's going to get a lot of attention! 

As a leader, SWF is planting seeds, picking the food, and feeding that community. When we not only feed, but also house members of the community, this is where Sweet Water will continue to grow. So, it is that evolution, collectively through The Academy through the trainings through the premises that gets me excited. 

As the foundation is evolving, everyone plays their part for this system to do what we can. The Thought Barn is the first barn in the city of Chicago since the Great Chicago Fire, that was an accomplishment. The RND house is also a significant feature at the Chicago Architecture Biennial, which is a huge accomplishment.  

Jordan: I look forward to meeting new people, teaching them what we do here, and learning from them. This is a good place to be - with your family.

If you could describe Sweet Water Foundation in one word, what would it be? 

Jordan Holy.  It’s a holy place.

Dave Leader. SWF doesn’t just talk about it, we actually do it.