As employees with disabilities return to Lynchburg Grows, new coach will help them flourish
It will be Parsons who will be working alongside them, helping them set goals for skills to learn on the farm and learn how to work independently.
By Rachael Smith
News and Advance
Mar 9, 2021
Excerpt:
There are around six adults with disabilities employed at the urban farm at 1339 Englewood St. and when they start work again, it will be Parsons who will be working alongside them, helping them set goals for skills to learn on the farm and learn how to work independently.
The seven-acre farm provides access to fresh, local produce for Lynchburg residents, restaurants and organizations, while also providing purposeful jobs for individuals with disabilities.
“We will work on those hard skills like harvesting, washing produce, bagging, transplanting and composting, but also emotional skills like helping them advocate for themselves,” Parsons said.
Mariel Hackman, an employee with Lynchburg Grows, said she is excited to come back to work and is ready to go.
“I miss my job and can’t wait to see my friends again,” she said. “It has been a very long year.”
Shelley Blades, executive director at Lynchburg Grows, said the nonprofit farm previously was using a third-party job placement program to provide coaches for employees with disabilities.
