QWE Practice Guidelines: 111: Design and implement a range of training programs to improve productivity, enhance wages, and optimize job success

112: Must meet needs of client population and be accessible.

431: Educate and inform local community regarding disabilities – increase awareness in all sectors and businesses.

Target group: Adults with significant Disabilities-many of Gateways clients present with multiple disabilities, cognitive, psychiatric, and medical conditions such as high blood pressure.

Practice Description

Started and are maintaining a garden to cultivate nutritious fresh foods for consumption by clients as well as the sale of excess harvest. Also developed a garden center retail business and created a venue for special events that can be rented by community residents.

Resources Needed

Subject matter experts/trainers

• Volunteers and/or organizations with agricultural knowledge

Equipment

• Gardening space
• Books and literature about gardening
• Irrigation system
• Greenhouse tunnel
• Heating system
• Flower and produce seeds
• Retail space

Labor hours

• Staff, clients, and volunteer time to maintain garden and equipment as well as retail operations

Funding

• SourceAmerica QWE grant
• In-kind support from local organizations
• Below market value lease for space
• Sale of summer plants

Implementation Process

Process

• Connect with individuals in the community with experience and willingness to be involved
• Obtain and set up equipment
• Conduct training on the use of equipment and gardening
• Prepare soil
• Plant seeds
• Maintain garden through watering and weeding
• Harvest produce and flower
• Dry flowers and prepare produce for sale
• Set up and sell items in retail space

Documentation

• SOPs
  • Policies and procedures for gardening, maintenance, and sales
• Training
  • Documented training of staff, volunteers, and clients

Outcomes/Results

• Fresh grown foods and flowers were harvested and distributed to all program clients
• Complete renovation of the retail space at the garden
• Over 20 program participants trained, worked, and benefitted from the enhanced integration into the community
• New skill sets acquired by ALL during the development of this project which will be able to provide ongoing training for individuals with disabilities
• Seeing the transformation of this once run down, useless piece of property with the town’s once active swimming pool has stimulated the community to rethink its rejuvenation as a whole

NPA: Gateway Industries Inc.
Location: Ronceverte, WV
Date Submitted: 2021
Website: https://gatewayindustrieswv.org/

Resources: Quality Work Environment Workbook