Growing new beginnings at CitySoil Farm

Teens enrolled in the program develop workplace skills such as teamwork, communication, and problem-solving.

At our CitySoil Farm at South Treatment Plant in Renton, growing culturally relevant veggies and fruits to feed the community is only part of the story. Throughout the summer, another kind of growth takes root: young people building confidence, learning new skills, and discovering new possibilities for their futures.

Since 2013, Sea Mar Renacer and the King County Wastewater Treatment Division have been working together to create meaningful educational experiences for youth participating in Renacer’s rehabilitation program. Together, the partnership demonstrates how environmental stewardship and community well-being can go hand in hand.

Renacer, which means “to be reborn,” provides culturally responsive behavioral health services for adolescent males ages 13 to 18 who are living with substance use disorders, as well as co-occurring mental health needs. Through personalized recovery plans, Renacer supports these teens with respect, dignity, and compassion as they work toward healthier futures.

The partnership between King County and Renacer extends that support beyond the classroom and treatment setting. Our Education and Engagement team creates hands-on programs that connect youth with water quality, environmental stewardship, and career exploration.

“Our goal is to create experiences that help young people see themselves in environmental careers while building a stronger connection to the natural resources that sustain our communities,” says Gabie Brosas, who leads this program for the King County Wastewater Treatment Division. “When they spend time at CitySoil Farm, they’re not just learning about clean water and composting—they’re discovering their own potential.”

The hands-on program at CitySoil Farm connects youth with water quality, environmental stewardship, and career exploration.

Participants gain science learning while developing workplace skills such as teamwork, communication, and problem-solving. For many of these teens, these experiences offer a new perspective on both themselves and the environment around them. They begin to see that protecting water resources is something they can actively contribute to, and they discover that careers in environmental science, wastewater treatment, and public service are within reach.

This partnership also advances King County Executive Girmay Zahilay’s vision for building healthier, safer communities by helping break the cycle of homelessness, addiction, and incarceration.

“Recovery is about creating opportunities for young people to reconnect with themselves, their communities, and their future,” says Sabrina de la Fuente, administrative supervisor of the Renacer Youth Inpatient Treatment program. “Our partnership with the King County Wastewater Treatment Division gives youth the chance to learn new skills, spend time outdoors, and experience success in an environment where they feel supported, respected, and valued.”

The benefits extend well beyond the farm. Healthy communities and healthy waterways are deeply connected. When young people are supported, engaged, and empowered, they are better equipped to care for themselves, their neighborhoods, and the natural resources we all depend on.

At our CitySoil Farm, every visit plants more than seeds. It cultivates resilience, opportunity, and hope — demonstrating that clean water work is ultimately about people as much as infrastructure.

Renacer provides culturally responsive behavioral health services for adolescent males ages 13 to 18 who are living with substance use disorders, as well as co-occurring mental health needs.