Post by Jenifer on Feb 27, 2005 23:17:13 GMT -5
I'll try not to get too lengthy here. Just wanted to share some things my DH and I have been thinking about.
Looking toward the future, we're a little scared about what's out there for Joy after she gets out of high school (I know...it's 16 years away, but I like to plan ahead!). My DH and I both have this entreprenurial spirit about us, and we've been trying to think of ways to create a place for Joy and others like her, while still allowing them the independence and opportunities they deserve.
Here's what we've come up with. I am a major gardener and love anything associated with horticulture. I've always wanted to own lots of land and grow veggies, raise chickens and bees, make salsa, etc. In our city, there is an organization called The Homestead that is a community for adults with autism. The residents live and work on-site, and The Homestead grows bedding plants, herbs, fruit trees, etc. and sells it all to local grocery stores and nurseries. Each person who lives there has a job and a certain amount of independence, and lots of dignity.
I think we're going to try to model this organization and create a similar enviroment for adults with developmental delays. We'll probably not just make it for DS because we want to serve our community, not exclude someone because they don't have enough chromosomes.
We're thinking we will teach the residents to raise the veggies and make salsa (my husband the AWESOME cook has been working on a recipe), grow pumpkins and gourds for fall, raise honeybees (that's my department), and even have an art studio for those who want to pursue their creative side. Our vision is for the residents to live in apartments on-site with one or two roommates, and learn to be self sufficient as far as cooking, laundry, getting to work on time, etc.
We're not sure exactly where to begin with all of this, so we're going to contact the woman who started The Homestead to see if she will help us out. We realize we're going to have to raise money, acquire land, build buildings, hire staff, and get community help to get this going. But I think it can happen...my goal is to have it up and running by my 40th birthday (6 more years).
I just wanted to share my inspiration with all of you. I am pretty excited about this "project," especially because I know I'll be spending my days doing something I'm truly passionate about, rather than going to work every day to make someone else rich. I love that.
In case you're wondering, we're going to call our establishment "LoveJoy Farms." Isn't that catchy?
Jenifer, mom to Joy Daisy
Looking toward the future, we're a little scared about what's out there for Joy after she gets out of high school (I know...it's 16 years away, but I like to plan ahead!). My DH and I both have this entreprenurial spirit about us, and we've been trying to think of ways to create a place for Joy and others like her, while still allowing them the independence and opportunities they deserve.
Here's what we've come up with. I am a major gardener and love anything associated with horticulture. I've always wanted to own lots of land and grow veggies, raise chickens and bees, make salsa, etc. In our city, there is an organization called The Homestead that is a community for adults with autism. The residents live and work on-site, and The Homestead grows bedding plants, herbs, fruit trees, etc. and sells it all to local grocery stores and nurseries. Each person who lives there has a job and a certain amount of independence, and lots of dignity.
I think we're going to try to model this organization and create a similar enviroment for adults with developmental delays. We'll probably not just make it for DS because we want to serve our community, not exclude someone because they don't have enough chromosomes.
We're thinking we will teach the residents to raise the veggies and make salsa (my husband the AWESOME cook has been working on a recipe), grow pumpkins and gourds for fall, raise honeybees (that's my department), and even have an art studio for those who want to pursue their creative side. Our vision is for the residents to live in apartments on-site with one or two roommates, and learn to be self sufficient as far as cooking, laundry, getting to work on time, etc.
We're not sure exactly where to begin with all of this, so we're going to contact the woman who started The Homestead to see if she will help us out. We realize we're going to have to raise money, acquire land, build buildings, hire staff, and get community help to get this going. But I think it can happen...my goal is to have it up and running by my 40th birthday (6 more years).
I just wanted to share my inspiration with all of you. I am pretty excited about this "project," especially because I know I'll be spending my days doing something I'm truly passionate about, rather than going to work every day to make someone else rich. I love that.
In case you're wondering, we're going to call our establishment "LoveJoy Farms." Isn't that catchy?
Jenifer, mom to Joy Daisy
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