Green Thumbs Greenhouse
Located on the grounds of the divisional office, Green Thumbs Greenhouse offers individuals served the opportunity to engage in horticultural activities and participate in the care and maintenance of our grounds.
Gardening has tremendous benefits for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including physical activity, promoting motor and cognitive skills, and developing new skills and independence.
By the Numbers
6-8
ELS CLIENTS PARTICIPATE IN INITIATIVE
1
FTEs OVERSEE
THE OPERATION
800
SQUARE FEET OF DEDICATED SPACE
$-k
IN GROSS
REVENUE GENERATED ANNUALLY
Green Thumbs Greenhouse
Green Thumbs Greenhouse is comfortably located on the grounds of the divisional office. Green Thumbs, offers individuals served the opportunity to engage in horticultural activities and participate in the care and maintenance of our grounds. Individuals who express an interest in horticulture, through job exploration, are given the opportunity to work in the greenhouse. In return, each individual gains employable skills such as cleaning, organizing, handling money, and customer interactions. Individuals often choose to continue working in the greenhouse or they may use the skills acquired there to expand and seek other competitive employment opportunities in the community.
Year Launched
2009
Location
920 Main Street
Pineville, LA 71360
Executive Director
Doug Ryland, State Executive Director
Contact Person for Initiative
Doug Ryland, 318-880-7518, dryland@evergreenls.org
Overview
Green Thumbs Greenhouse provides employment opportunities along with vocational skill development for individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities. Individuals are paid to make custom wood pieces, paintings, candles, and more.
Mission
Individuals Served (approximate)
6 to 8 individuals Evergreen serves are involved in Green Thumbs Greenhouse.
Benefits to Individuals Served
1. Helps individuals to build practical life skills that lead to enhanced independence.
2. Gives individuals access to activities and services not available in segregated environments.
3. Offers the chance to engage with others and the satisfaction of being part of a diverse community.
4. Provides the opportunity to learn appropriate social behaviors and make new connections
5. Gives access to an inclusive workplace.
Other Benefits to Evergreen Life Services
1. Increased creativity, productivity, and motivation.
2. Additional opportunity for company awareness. 3. Individuals are able to develop skills to function more independently in multiple community settings
Evergreen continues to seek opportunities for individuals to participate in authentic community-based experiences. Green Thumbs Greenhouse furthers Evergreen's mission by helping individuals obtain self-satisfaction and skill development.
Revenue Generated (Annually)
Information forthcoming.
Impact
Employee Involvement
One full-time employee.
Part-time staff is limited to special events or periods of time when the primary staff is unavailable.
Volunteers Involved
We definitely welcome those who have an interest in helping with this initiative in any capacity. We have had people offer plan clippings, supply donations, and/or general advice, but their commitment is generally brief, but appreciated.
Executive Director Involvement
Once per week.
Varies depending on the time of the year, projects at hand, etc.
Direct Supervisor Involvement
Four times per week. Varies depending on the time of the year, projects at hand, etc.
Dedicated Space
800 square feet
Community Partnerships
We have developed partnerships with the Good Food Project, which is run by the Food Bank of Central Louisiana.
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There are opportunities for more partnerships. Alexandria and Pineville have rebooted a vigorous Downtown and Main Street farmer's market and weekly events, with music, food, and local community members selling crafts. Green Thumbs Greenhouse has the opportunity to participate in these events with similar offerings.
Grant Support
Recently Ugly Mug Marketing gifted Evergreen a modest, but gratefully received, monetary contribution. Ugly Mug Marketing, located in downtown Alexandria, develops web designs and marketing through social media. It may be possible to approach them for physical support of developing a way to advertise Krafty Kreations by expanding that relationship.
Restricted Donations
None
In-kind Donations
Yes
Subcontracted Space
None
Medicaid Waiver Funds
None
Other Revenue Sources
The sale of services did bring generate some income. However, the hefty cost of supplies and labor requires close oversight and management. Funding is typically received from the per diem paid to the ICFs.
Important To Know
Due to COVID-19, it closed in 2020, but will reopen in the future.
Through the years, we experimented with a wide array of plant types. Through trial and error, we settled on plants like cactus, ivy, and bamboo primarily based on their ease to grow and maintain. Green Thumbs Greenhouse is in a season of restructuring like Krafty Kreations.