Chicago - Quilen Blackwell started Chicago Eco House as a way to help at-risk young men. Most struggle to stay on the straight and narrow but are learning life lessons working in the dirt at self-sustaining flower farms throughout the city.
Quilen says, “Guys with flower shears and making bouquets, like it really softens them, right? It shows they do have more of a compassionate side and it just changes the perception of a lot of these young men.” He felt God’s calling and started Chicago Eco House as a way to transform inner-city neighborhoods.
The flowers are sold to help fund Chicago Eco House. Southside Blooms also teaches the young men valuable life skills, like how to handle money and good customer service.
Quilen is excited about what he's accomplished and hopes for more success in the future. “The communities where our farms are at, people just absolutely love them. It helps to beautify the neighborhood, it’s solving a pretty huge problem with a lot of the violence and the crime.”
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