This Veterans Day, Sempra Infrastructure (SI) honored all who have served in the Armed Forces with a day of service alongside The Mission Continues (TMC), a nonprofit organization that empowers veterans to continue their service and energizes communities with veteran talent, skills and preparedness to generate visible impact.
Sempra Infrastructure sponsored TMC’s Operation Nourish Veteran’s Day project at Houston Independent School District (ISD)’s Mykawa Farm in Southeast Houston, a working educational farm that integrates nutrition and food science with core curriculum to provide students with hands-on learning experiences.
Team SI worked alongside numerous veterans, volunteers and professional soccer players to complete various tasks in the garden including building ADA compliant flower beds and laying mulch to plant the garden.
“It was a delight to contribute to The Mission Continues’ vision to empower veterans as well as the local youth to make a positive impact in their communities,” said Jim Thompson, manager – permitting and compliance, Sempra Infrastructure. “Helping provide fresh, quality vegetables to communities in need of them is one more way we continue to make a positive impact in the communities where we live and work.”
Mykawa Farm aims to teach students about agriculture, gardening, STEM and nutrition. Student FFA groups from nearby Worthing High School work in the garden alongside Houston ISD Nutrition Services. As the farm grows and produces, the hopes are for the fruits and vegetables to be used by HISD Nutrition Services, various HISD culinary programs and to directly alleviate food insecurity in the garden’s surrounding community.
“The Veteran’s Day project was significant to the accessibility of the farm for students who have mobility challenges,” said Dr. Elizabeth Barlow, regional operations manager, The Mission Continues. “Through the generous support of Sempra Infrastructure, students who have mobility challenges will be included with their peers in the valuable agricultural and STEM learning that Mykawa Farm has to offer.”
At Sempra Infrastructure, we align our community and employee engagement efforts with our values of doing the right thing, championing people and shaping the future. By partnering with local organizations and leadership, we maintain our commitment to making a positive difference in our communities.