Search Welcomes Summer with Fun and Therapeutic Gardens
Summer is underway and Search is taking advantage of the warmer weather by incorporating gardening into our programs! We have several gardening projects underway, thanks to the initiative of our creative and hard-working staff members.
Search purchased two plots in the El Jardin de los Suenos (Garden of Dreams), also known as the River Trails Community garden, located at Euclid Elementary School in Wheeling. Our Adult Learning Program, Supported Living Program, and Recreation Department are all working together to make sure the plots are planted, tended and watered. This garden project is unique in encouraging cooperation among different Search programs as well as the opportunity participate in a neighborhood-wide project. A group of Search consumers attended the grand opening of El Jardin de los Suenos on May 10th. They planted the first plants in our plots and painted rocks to place in the garden. Everyone had a great time enjoying like-minded neighbors while gardening out in the sunshine.
On another occasion, the ladies of Search's Sycamore house attended a public meeting where they learned about the community garden, contributed ideas along with other community members, and planted our first seeds. It was apparent that the ladies really enjoyed getting out in the community and working with others to make the neighborhood a better place!
In addition to Search's participation in the River Trails community garden, our clinical department has also started several on-site gardening projects! Fenced off plots at the Kensington site will be used to plant vegetables and this year two planter boxes have been established at our Grosse Pointe and Central Park homes. The gardens promote therapeutic goals like strength, self-esteem, and perseverance through involving consumers in the growing cycle.
A special thank you to Karen N., Beth S., Jackie A., and Deb P. for guiding the gardening initiatives.
We are excited to see how these gardening projects progress over the summer! Continue to check our website or Facebook page for updates.