Growing Real-Life Experience: Variety Works Vocational Programs

We were excited to take a tour of Variety of the Delaware Valley's newly renovated 77-acre campus, serving children and young adults with disabilities ages 5-24, and empowering them to pursue their dreams and join the workforce.

Yesterday's tour highlighted the inclusive and nurturing environment of Lamoni's Garden, where the raised beds and trellis work are all heavy duty and accommodating for people with disabilities to be able to reach the soil, engage with the plant life, and experience picking vegetables with confidence and joy. 

The grounds in the gardens is a foundation of bio-cement, which allows even heavy power wheelchairs to navigate the equipement with ease. Not only is this large gardening area wheelchair-accessible, it's also growing organic produce to sell at their student-operated farmer's markets and other real-world venues.

Director of Programming, Nick Larcinese, tells the heartwarming story of the impact that Variety has had in Lamoni's life, and how she has now gone on to become a successful motivational speaker as an adult.

"Farm to Table" vocational experience training allows students of many ages to actively participate in the farming process, developing life skills and create memories that will last a lifetime.

Nicholas Larcinese - Director of Programming at Variety

Showing off the wheelchair-accessible plant beds, perfect for people who use wheelchairs to learn gardening and grow produce -- or just have a hands-on outdoor experience!

We're proud to support Variety with yearly visits and donations of popular FEELDOM gear, empowering more young people to get out in the world and do amazing things with their talents!

Listen Here: Interview with Dominique Bernardo, Director and CEO of Variety of the Delaware Valley, speaks about the impact of Vocational Programs -   FEELDOM Community Spotlight Podcast (from 2022)

Visit the website: https://varietyphila.org/