Join forces with to to help grow a social enterprise for medically fragile at-risk and developmentally disabled youth!
More Americans are graduating from high school than ever before, but students with disabilities remain far behind, and when it comes to entering the workforce, they face tremendous barriers. Currently, only 20% of Americans with disabilities are employed. In a competitive job market, this demographic faces huge hurdles, but we can help to grow a garden of opportunity for this population through our partnership with Smile Farms, founded by Jim and Chris McCann of 1-800-Flowers.com.
How this project makes a difference
This goodcircle project will provide all of the necessary tools for Smile Farms at The Viscardi Center Gardening Project to become a true social enterprise. The students will sow, tend, harvest and sell herbs and microgreens to local restaurants and school cafeterias. This program allows these students to acquire skills in business and horticulture, and gain invaluable experience to prepare them for employment at Smile Farms at The Viscardi Center and elsewhere.
Our Goal
The cost of this unique vocational enterprise is $15,000 to provide seeds, soil, gardening supplies and marketing. Any donation received is sturdy seed from which this program can flourish and bloom, providing critical vocational opportunities for medically fragile and developmentally disabled youth!
Good people. Good business.
The Viscardi Center, a network of non-profit organizations, provides a lifespan of services that educate, employ and empower people with disabilities. Its programs and services include Pre-K through High School education, school-to-work transition services, vocational training, career counseling and placement and workforce diversification assistance to children, adolescents, and adults with disabilities and businesses.
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The Viscardi Center
The Viscardi Center, a network of non-profit organizations, provides a lifespan of services that educate, employ and empower people with disabilities. Its programs and services include Pre-K through High School education, school-to-work transition services, vocational training, career counseling and placement and workforce diversification assistance to children, adolescents, and adults with disabilities and businesses. By partnering with Smile Farms to create a campus on The Viscardi Center’s property, we are fulfilling our missions: providing educational programs, vocational training and work opportunities for people with disabilities.