named programs · 6 · from sources
What they call their work
Blue Star Youth Movement
Creative arts program providing teens and children a safe space for self-expression through workshops in music, art, and performance.
Earth School For Homeschoolers
Place-based, nature-integrated educational program for homeschooled children, using the outdoors as a classroom and emphasizing arts, sustainability, and hands-on learning.
Earth School-To-Farm
Educational program for youth from high needs districts focusing on food origins, nutrition, sustainable agriculture, and farm animal relationships.
EnviraPod Educational Center
Mobile educational trailer offering portable, sustainable learning spaces for environmental and arts education, funded via crowdfunding.
Something Aloha
Free farm- and garden-based education programs for Pre-K–12 students in Ka’ū, Hawai’i, in partnership with local schools and the Volcano School of Arts & Sciences.
The Children’s Peaceful Garden
Community garden project where children and adults co-create sustainable play and learning spaces, recognized by the United Nations and Jane Goodall Institute.
activities · 7 groups
What they do
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Onsite & Outreach Environmental Education Programs 3 activities
- Conducts curriculum-based learning and community service projects at partner sitesLeads curriculum-based learning and community service initiatives at family farms, nature centers, parks, museums, and art centers, including projects focused on alternative energy and environmental sustainability.
- Offers arts-integrated and outdoor education programs for children and teensProvides arts-integrated and outdoor education programs for Pre-K through Grade 12, including creative arts workshops, field trips, and community service projects. Programs support self-expression and nature-based learning for teens and children, including homeschoolers and those with learning differences.
- Offers training for parents and teachers in nature-based and arts-integrated learningProvides training sessions and seminars for parents and educators to promote nature-based, arts-integrated, and place-based learning approaches that support child development and environmental education.
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Horticultural Education and Community Gardening 2 activities
- Operates and maintains Children's Peaceful Gardens at multiple sitesMaintains five Children's Peaceful Gardens across New York and Hawai'i, serving as models for children's play spaces globally. These gardens incorporate native plants, pollinator-attracting flowers, sensory gardens, organic vegetables, constructed wetlands using runoff water, and recycled-material art installations to support peaceful, imaginative play and sustainable gardening education.
- Provides farm-based and garden-based education programs for Pre-K through Grade 12Offers free farm-based and garden-based education programs for pre-K through Grade 12 in the Ka'ū district of Hawai'i Island, focusing on sustainable agriculture, nutrition, and environmental stewardship. Programs are delivered at multiple schools and community groups in South Hawai'i, including Tutu and Me Traveling Preschool, Pahāla Elementary School, Na’alehu Elementary School, Ka’ū Learning Academy, and South Hawai’i Homeschool Hui.
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Girls' Mentorship and Leadership Development 1 activity
- Conducts monthly educational programs for high school girls in Hawai'iRuns monthly programs in Hawai'i that integrate arts, nature, environmental education, and community service specifically for high school girls.
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Youth and Family Cooking Education 1 activity
- Operates Earth School-to-Farm programs for underserved youthRuns educational programs connecting youth from high-needs school districts and underserved communities—including refugee children and shelter youth—to food origins, nutrition, and sustainable agriculture through hands-on farm experiences. These programs are part of the broader Earth School-to-Farm initiative.
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Intergenerational Connection Programs 1 activity
- Organizes intergenerational visits between students and nursing home residentsFacilitates biannual intergenerational visits connecting Earth School students with nursing home residents to promote mutual learning, empathy, and community connection.
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Community-Based Educational Programming 1 activity
- Provides educational services in Westchester County, greater New York, and Ka’ū, Hawai’i IslandDelivers educational programming on a volunteer basis across Westchester County, the greater New York area, and the Ka’ū district on Hawai’i Island, serving diverse populations including underserved communities and homeschooling families.
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After-School Academic and Enrichment Programs 1 activity
- Provides supplemental educational programs using curriculum-based approachesDelivers supplemental educational programs for children of all ages and socioeconomic backgrounds, including homeschooled children and those with learning differences, using curriculum-based, place-based, and hands-on learning methods in nature and community settings.
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financials · form 990EZ · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$74K
Contributions & grants$3K4%
Program service revenue$71K96%
Investment income——
Other revenue—
expenses
Total expenses$67K
Program expenses—
Admin / overhead—
Fundraising—
Salaries & benefits$44K
Grants paid out—
balance sheet
Total assets$30K
Cash—
Investments—
Liabilities—
Net assets$30K
5 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +41.9%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| BARBARA SARBIN | President | 40 | $41K |
board members · 5
- Colette Kabasakalian — Director
- Janka Pavelek — Director
- Rommy Urrutia — Director
- Sherri Young — Director
- Siena Siegel — Director
relationships · 20
Who they work with
- Abbott House Partner — Hosts a Children's Peaceful Garden site operated by SGITW.
- Abbott House Partner — Recognized SOMETHING GOOD IN THE WORLD INC with a Loving Arms Award in 2024.
- Anne M. Dorner Middle School Partner — Hosts a Children's Peaceful Garden site operated by SGITW.
- Atherton Family Foundation Funder — Provided grants supporting the development of Ka Mala Maluhia garden project.
- Hawai’i Island School Garden Network Network — SGITW is a member of this network supporting school garden initiatives.
- Indiegogo Partner — Platform used to conduct a successful crowdfunding campaign for the EnviraPod project.
- Jane Goodall Institute Partner — Program Director Barbara Sarbin serves as a volunteer Garden Ambassador for the Roots & Shoots Program in Ka’ū.
- Jane Goodall Institute Partner — Recognized the Children’s Peaceful Garden design as an example of Peace and Sustainability in 2016; Barbara Sarbin serves as a Roots & Shoots Garden Ambassador.
- Kula Honua Partner — Hosts a Children's Peaceful Garden site operated by SGITW on the Big Island of Hawai'i.
- Kōkua Hawaii Foundation Funder — Provided grants supporting the development of Ka Mala Maluhia garden project.
- NOAA Ocean Guardians Schools Funder — Provided grants supporting the development of Ka Mala Maluhia garden project.
- Ossining High School Partner — Hosts a Children's Peaceful Garden site operated by SGITW.
- The Jane Goodall Institute Partner — Partner organization that has supported the organization's work since 2016.
- The Volcano School of Arts & Sciences Partner — Hosts a Children's Peaceful Garden site operated by SGITW on the Big Island of Hawai'i.
- United Nations Partner — Recognized the Children’s Peaceful Garden design as an example of Peace and Sustainability in 2016.
- Volcano School of Arts & Sciences Partner — Collaborates on free farm-based and garden-based education programs in the Ka'ū district.
- Volcano School of Arts & Sciences Partner — Collaborates with SGITW on free farm-based and garden-based education programs.
- Whole Kids Foundation Funder — Provided grants supporting the development of Ka Mala Maluhia garden project.
- YouTube Network — Hosts educational content about the Golden Education Template on YouTube.
- nursing home in our community Partner — Hosts biannual intergenerational visits with Earth School students.
strategies · 5
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Education for Sustainability Through Adult Trainingmethodology: education_for_sustainabilityBy training parents and teachers in sustainability principles, we extend environmental stewardship into homes and schools because equipping adults as educators creates multiplier effects in children's learning and behavior change.
- Farm- and Garden-Based Education for Food Justicemethodology: farm_based_educationBy grounding education in farm and garden settings, we teach sustainability and food justice through direct, experiential learning because hands-on engagement with growing food fosters systemic understanding and empowers youth to act as change agents.
- Intergenerational Co-Creation of Learning Environmentsmethodology: intergenerational_co_creationBy collaboratively designing and building play and garden spaces with both adults and children, we foster environmental stewardship and social cohesion because shared creation builds mutual respect, trust, and lasting engagement across generations.
- Nature-Based, Arts-Integrated Educationmethodology: nature_based_arts_integrated_educationBy using nature as the primary teacher and integrating the arts, sensory input, and whole-body experiences into learning, we support diverse learners and enhance child development because these modalities foster deeper engagement, inclusivity, and holistic growth.
- Youth-Led Environmental Advocacymethodology: youth_led_advocacyBy engaging students as advocates for sustainability initiatives like Roots & Shoots, we amplify program impact because youth-led outreach inspires peer action and strengthens community ownership of environmental goals.