Leadership Northeast is a community service program designed to educate and train emerging leaders in the region. The program is dedicated to improving the quality of life in the area, as class members are tasked with working in teams to develop and implement civic projects.
This year there are seven groups and over the upcoming weeks we’ll highlight the groups and their projects. Today, we profile Supporters of the Guardians of the Garden.
Who’s answering the questions?
Alan Stout
Who are the group members?
Kal Ali, Hershey Co.; Ellie Bartoli, Coffee Inclusive; Nicole Kerestes, Benco Dental; Fred Lokuta, Myers, Brier & Kelly, LLP; Tori Reinard, Geisinger Health System; Kristen Scali – MOHELA; Kelsey Van Horn, Kelsey Van Horn Design Studio and Alan Stout, Visit Luzerne County.
Why did you choose this organization to benefit?
Step by Step in Plains had placed an RFP with Leadership Northeast requesting that, through a Community Impact Project, a garden area be developed for its clients. These clients, who they call “consumers” face the challenges of learning and sometimes physical disabilities. After discussing it as a group, we felt their proposal could have a very positive, long-term impact on the people that require their services and would further fulfill Step by Step’s mission of enhancing the quality of life and personal growth of those served. The RFP read:
“Our project request is for raised garden beds, landscaping and an awning in the outside area of the building located at 350 Second Street. We would love it to be a creative and artistic space for our programs participants to enjoy. Currently we have a small concrete patio with a picnic table and two benches. Beyond the patio is an area that is largely shale. This unused area would make a great place for a small garden consisting of raised beds.
An awning would be a great addition to the patio area since it gets a great deal of sun, rendering it unusable for a portion of most days. Many of our individuals have sun sensitivity due to medications from their complex medical needs. Our program participants would benefit from the garden in many ways. They can learn to tend to a garden in a setting that makes it comfortable to work in if they have limited mobility or use a wheelchair. In addition, they can develop many transferable skills associated with gardening such planting, weeding, watering and harvesting their crops. They will then develop cooking skills as they turn their produce into salads, sauces and simple meals.”
What is your project and how did you come up with the idea?
Our team voted to accept this RFP and take on this project. Our plan is to build this garden area for the consumers at Step By Step.
What will your team do to make it happen?
We have been working with two local landscapers, who have offered design suggestions for the garden. They have also offered to donate some supplies and limited labor. We are also reaching out to additional landscaping companies and are asking for donations of additional materials. Ultimately, collecting all of the materials and the final design of the garden will be decided by our team, and most of the labor will be done by our team.
Where can people learn more about your project?
www.leadershipnortheast.org
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