DIRT GROUP is an experiential social skills training group based in the context of a gardening / farming project for at-risk youth. DIRT GROUP was created by Kenny Turck whose family has been on the same farm since 1875 when his great grandfather Jacob threw an axe into the woods to decide where to homestead. Kenny is a Social Worker and in 2010 received the NASW (MN) Paul & Sheila Wellstone Social Justice Award for his work on food security issues wirh at-risk youth through DIRT GROUP. Kenny has been working in the human services field for 30 years and is the founder, CEO, and Co-Owner of Crow River Family Services, LLC (CRFS) based in Litchfield, Minnesota. CRFS provides outpatient and community-based mental health services.
DIRT GROUP is informed by and grounded in 4 major theories: Symbolic Interactionism, Experiential Learning, Social Learning, and Strength – based theories. DIRT GROUP provides tangible results, skills that prepare participants for life, pride and ownership, community contributions/investment & participation (“Big Ripple Effect”), and social inclusion–fostering resiliency, competence/mastery, achievement, mindfulness, and emotional and behavioral self-regulation.
Implications for practice include alternative education opportunities in the form of academic credits in science, writing, technology, FACS, social studies, economics, etc., community-based mental health/social/life skills training, early childhood development (brain development), juvenile and adult corrections, economic development (“What the Cluck Food Truck”,
“4 Bubbas Foods”, “Jersey Sausage & Kraut”, and more!!!)
http://maryturck.wordpress.com/2012/11/03/bragging-about-my-brother/
Recent and upcoming trainings/workshops:
November 5th: Litchfield High School, Adolescent Mental Health, Bullying, & Inclusion
November 15th: MNSACA SUPER SATURDAY, DIRT GROUP & INCLUSION
November 19th: Litchfield High School, Mental Health Careers
December 12th: Keynote at Central Minnesota School Counselors Winter Conference (joined by Cynthia Packer) Trauma, Resiliency, & Inclusion; Breakout Session, DIRT GROUP, Implications for Practice: Achievement, Inclusion, Competence, and Contribution
DIRT GROUP GLOBAL 