The Green Heart Project (GHP) is a 501©3 non-profit organization that builds school garden programs in the Charleston area. With a high value placed on health, education, and building community, GHP pairs local volunteer mentors and students to grow school gardens through in-school and after-school programs, primarily in schools serving low-income populations. In doing so, it connects students to local food systems, while reinforcing academic standards, building interpersonal skills and cultivating community.