Increasing Opportunities for People with Disabilities.
Southbridge, MA – 4/28/2021 – What creates a partnership between two entities? Support, cohesion, morale and collaboration are just some of the words that come to mind when we talk about the Center of Hope Foundation’s Hope Grows Greenhouse, the Fundacion MAPFRE, and MAPFRE Insurance.
The Center of Hope Foundation, located in Southbridge, MA, is a non-profit agency serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Opening new opportunities for everyone who is served is its mission and goal. A new opportunity arose when the Center of Hope acquired a new building which came with two acres of usable farmland. What better to do with this land than to build a greenhouse. The Center, with help from the George W. Wells Foundation, did just that, building a 20 ft x 60 ft greenhouse, creating multiple opportunities for employment and volunteerism.
Fundacion MAPFRE, a non-profit institution whose main purpose is to contribute to the well-being of society and its citizens. With the Center of Hope and MAPFRE’s missions aligning, MAPFRE granted the Center of Hope the Hope Grows Grant. The partnership began creating several opportunities. Supplies were purchased from basic greenhouse supplies to planting and healthy eating curriculum books to kitchen supplies. The program members began learning agricultural skills while planting, growing and harvesting a wide variety of vegetables and flowers. After harvesting program members prepare healthy farm to table meals and sell these and vegetables in a healthy snack cart, which travels throughout the Center of Hope’s main facility. A future goal is to bring this cart out into the community increasing awareness of nutritious foods and dietary habits resulting in reduction of waste through composting and increasing social collections, collective decision-making skills and leadership.
This partnership has allowed the Center of Hope to introduce new growing techniques such as Kratky Way Hydroponics. Also, purchased were additional raised beds allowing for wheelchair accessibility. This grant also provides staff to support the individuals working in the greenhouse. “This greenhouse has opened up so many opportunities. The excitement and growth we have seen from our program members is momentous. We look forward the seeing our program members and the Hope Grow’s Greenhouse flourish.” said Erika Travinski, COO at the Center of Hope.
The Hope Grows Greenhouse will continue to thrive thanks to this newly formed partnership. Employees from MAPFRE have begun to join the Center of Hope’s virtual programing for its Employment Supports Program. MAPFRE Employees from all departments are joining these meetings and educating program members on topics such as; interviewing, janitorial and maintenance, volunteerism and more. Plans include hosting multicultural events offering a variety of cultural food, prepared using foods harvested, and music.
This is what partnership is all about; increasing awareness to all aspects of society, increasing the health of the people around, increasing cultural awareness and coming together to learn and grow. For more information about Hope Grows Greenhouse, please visit www.thecenterofhope.org or call (508) 764-4085.
