Cultivating Teamwork

When I think of the Lindell Ave Community Garden, I can’t help but realize the true community connections we have made. As written in our mission statement, “To create lifetime opportunities for persons with disabilities to reach their fullest potential”, I feel that through being an integral part of our community we learn so much about all that is needed to experience lifetime opportunities.

The involvement came about through the relationship we have with The Boys and Girls Club of North Central Massachusetts in Leominster, MA on the grounds of the Doyle Conservation Land. Clean Corners, the Arc’s janitorial service, started working there in September 2010. They continue to clean the Boys and Girls Club on a daily basis. “They do a spectacular job!” exclaimed Donata Martin, Executive Director of the Boys and Girls Club.

When the Director of the Boys and Girls club contacted me and suggested the opportunity for our organization to participate in the Lindell Ave Community Garden, I was elated. We had a meeting with her and then went over to meet the wonderful people at the Doyle Center. More opportunities were discussed and real connections began.

Arc and Matson Community Services Vocational, Day Habilitation, Supported Community Options (SCOP) and Residential programs all participate and share the responsibility of the garden. We have two plots for Arc-Matson. Each plot has three cucumbers plants, six tomato plants (a wide variety of types), one summer squash and one zucchini. The Vocational program waters the garden Monday or Tuesday. The Day Hab and SCOP programs take care of the garden on Thursdays and Fridays and the Residential Program water and weed on the weekends. The community spirit of the garden lends itself to the offering from the Garden Club to help with watering on off days. The rest of the watering is left up to Mother Nature.

The Arc and Matson programs are looking forward to reaping the benefits of fresh vegetables from their own garden. It has provided an excellent opportunity for learning as well as excitement as we anticipate cooking nutritional meals with the fresh produce we have grown. This has been a wonderful and fulfilling experience for all of the Arc-Matson community.

About the Author: Allyson Chalapatas

Allyson Chalapatas has twenty seven years experience in the Hospitality Industry with positions ranging in Service Personnel, Operations Management and Sales Management.  Read more here.