What a day we had today. We started the day with the beach and ended it by the fire. Can life get more perfect then that? Not in my book! Spring Break is just grand so far. We are preparing for Easter and that is just fun. I think I like the preparations of the holiday more then the actual holiday, can’t help it! The anticipation gets me excited and fuels the creative fire.
Liam, Grace and I had the pleasure of visiting the most amazing place on Friday of last week. We Grow Dreams is a non-for-profit greenhouse that truly does grow dreams every day for the team members who happen to have a disability and their families.
I had the pleasure of touring the greenhouse with the most amazing mom Joanne and her even more amazing son, Nick. They gave me the history of the greenhouse and why they love it so much. Nick has learned the ropes of the greenhouse over the years and loves working on Saturdays with his friends. I am hooked, I am beyond hooked. i will be buying my flowers there from here on out and hoping my sons and I can put in some volunteer hours this summer!
If we could hear angels sing believe me they would be singing loud and clear inside that greenhouse. It is not only beautiful but what happens there brought tears to my eyes. As a mother with special needs children I worry about the future. When I say future I am not talking about next year or the year after that. I am talking about 20 years from now. I want all my children to feel like they are offering something to this world of ours. I want them to have a job and feel the independence that being employed gives you. It is important to me and it will be important to them.
We Grow Dreams provides this and so much more to the team members that are a part of their job training program. This same concern is what fueled a small group of parents to open this amazing place 6 years ago. They knew that the greenhouse would be a labor intensive buisiness and they have targeted 45 specific jobs they can train their team members on. Team members can then take those skills and continue to work at the greenhouse or use their experience to do something else out in the community.
The greenhouse runs with less then 10 full time employees, team members and volunteers. This like other non-for-profits are struggling to stay a float. They need support from people like us to remain in buisiness.
Please consider them for your Mothers Day flower baskets as well as your spring swoop for gardens and patio pots. They have it all, beautiful flower baskets as well as perennials, annuals, succulents and vegetable plants. (Oh and fish too, yes fish for your ponds!)
You can find them at …..We Grow Dreams – 1055 West Washington St.,West Chicago, IL 60185 – office (630) 293-0100
Please check them out you will not be disappointed!
Winner of the tie is Karin Warden! Please send your address to tkdriscoll2000@yahoo.com Congrats!
This pink and white ruffle outfit is designed by Bridget and Co you can find her on facebook and etsy. She has the sweetest, softest and well just perfect designs for your girls!
Count down to Easter! Do something creative – something that will make you smile.
