Community Cultivation

Mission Statement

Our mission is to utilize a horticulture context, to increase individuals with disabilities and at risk youth self sufficiency and quality of life by offering job skills training and vocational development while enriching our community.

Objectives

Establish a holistic, horticulture program that addresses vocational, social and life skills development for individuals with disabilities and/or at risk youth.
Develop individualized programs based on specific needs and assessments.
Produce and sell organic products to the community.
Support seamless transitions from school to work.
Generate awareness of the abilities and benefits that individuals with disabilities contribute to the community.
Establish a greenhouse facility to support a year round program.
Establish a business outreach program to integrate real work experiences to participants who are ready to expand their work skills into competitive employment.

Program Description

Community Cultivation is a vocational, social and life skills development program implemented within a horticulture framework for individuals with disabilities and at risk youth. Through the natural environment and context of the program, our goal is to increase individual’s independence, work ready skills, self esteem, social cognition, peer relationships, stress and relaxation management, along with community integration and awareness.

Participants will learn to grow organic vegetables, herbs, and cut flowers in their plots at the Botanic Park. Once vegetables have been harvested, they will take their produce down to the local Farmers Market to sell. Social cognition workshops, vocational and life skills are interwoven throughout this program to enhance participant’s abilities and understanding of the soft skills inherent within our society and the working world.

Community Cultivation’s vision is to eventually grow into a greenhouse facility and provide year round opportunities for these individuals. The nature of the greenhouse and a year round program enables participants to explore and expand vocational skills, as well as social cognitive thinking skills, and life skills that are inherent within the field of employment. Having the opportunity to offer year round produce to the community while developing participants’ vocational skills defines the reciprocal nature of the program, as we are filling a need within the community while giving back to it!

Business Outreach

In efforts to expand and provide individuals with disabilities and at risk youth with the most comprehensive vocational program, Community Cultivation is creating a business outreach program that identifies local businesses that are open to working with our participants and helping to extend their vocational skills and experience into real work opportunities.

After participants have successfully demonstrated that they are work ready, we will network with our participating businesses to find a job match and help place our consumers in real work opportunities. Continued support, job coaching and follow up services will be provided to our consumer’s to promote successful outcomes and experiences.

Testimonials

“My favorite part of CC was the Farmer’s Market. I liked selling things and working on my sale skills. I like to draw people in. I learned how to grow plants and how to sell a product. I also learned that in order to get a job done right, you have to get along with the people, or at least cope with them.”

Budding Stories

Team Leaders

This season we incorporated Team Leader positions into our program dynamics. Every participant had an equal opportunity to apply for this position. The requirements to apply included completing a formal application, conducting an interview, and demonstrating leadership qualities.

Of our twenty two participants four applied. Three candidates were returning participants from the year before, and we had one first time participant apply. All of the candidates followed through with the application process and established their skills and drive to fill the position. Therefore each applicant was awarded the position and we were able to utilize four team leaders this year.

These leaders got training in teaching and demonstrating job tasks, managing and organizing co-workers, and problem solving. Each team leader was responsible for making sure everyone gathered the correct tools and materials, designating specific tasks to each participant, offering help and guidance if necessary, making sure tasks were completed thoroughly and correctly, and problem solving any issues that may develop.

Taking on a leadership role is challenging for most people, but for individuals who have multiple barriers coming into the position already, this task is a huge undertaking. All of our team leaders this year executed their responsibilities and leadership abilities with honors.
What is an Expert Learner?

At risk youth and teen mentors participating in the program as expert learner proved to be an invaluable aspect of our program. Expert learners work in the garden and participate in the activities along side other members, while modeling appropriate work and social skills. Within this natural setting, the participants with disabilities have an opportunity to interact with their peers and learn from their example.

The elements of this integrated group allowed an opportunity for the participants with disabilities to generate meaningful relationships with their peers, and to innately learn socially appropriate behaviors. Simultaneously, the expert learners developed awareness and understanding about various disabilities and the qualities these people possess, which stimulated compassion and acceptance.

Expert learners were also given the opportunity to take a leadership role to increase their self esteem and confidence.