Newsletter by Patrick Cox

THE LEGACY Issue II 22

Helping Adults with Developmental Challenges To find joy in work is to discover the fountain of youth.--Pearl S. Buck

Message from the President IN THIS ISSUE

By: Martha Schonberger

Welcome to the Spring issue of The Legacy. Our e-newsletter is dedicated to keeping you updated on our progress and vision. It is cold and grey outside, and our gardens lay fallow, but our thoughts are on the upcoming planting season. Seeds have been purchased, small plots are being designed, and community relationships continue to be forged. Sunny Days Ahead Our most exciting news is that we have located a 14 acre parcel of land in the Purcellville area, and are now in the exploratory stages of evaluating the site potential of the land and existing buildings. Good news continues to grow. We have been awarded an Allegra FootPrint Fund grant for the second year in a row, and thanks to a wonderful volunteer who has offered his non-profit grant writing expertise pro-bono, we have several other grant opportunities in the works as well. Board members have been tirelessly reaching out to local farms, organizations and like-minded folks to share our goal of creating meaningful vocational opportunities and creative housing choices for adults with disabilities. Spring and summer job coach supported vocational opportunities that extend beyond our gardens are being roughed out.

Our 2014 summer Garden Party was a huge success, and we are currently planning our next big fundraiser, a 5K “Run for the Farm” in Leesburg this spring. Smaller, more intimate monthly happy hours and family friendly activities are being planned as well. We hope you will find the occasion that speaks to you, and inspires your involvement with Legacy Farms. In the meantime, seek out our Facebook page and consider sharing it with others. Check out our nifty tee shirts at www.booster.com/legacyfarms and support our efforts by making a purchase.

President, Legacy Farms Disability is a matter of perception. If you can do just one thing well, you're needed by someone. Martina Navratilova

Warmest Regards, Martha Schonberger

“Poor employment outcomes are especially dismaying because good employment may make a world of difference for autistic adults’ personal development.”-What a powerful statement?-http://ow.ly/JQKNY

4 x 4-foot Homemade Salsa Garden— Bonnie Plants. Plant this Salsa Garden Plan in a 4 x 4 raised bed or in-ground garden. Grow the ingredients for homemade in your Here's a hint ofsalsa what's to come very own Salsa Garden! The plan includes from 2015onions, Legacy tomatoes, peppers, and Farms herbs. Summer

Program

Adults with autism are left to navigate a jarring world. Researchers are beginning to study ways to help adults with autism navigate independently, get jobs, and find friendship.

LEGACY FARMS HELPING ADULTS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL CHALLENGES | Issue II 2 •

Follow Legacy Farms on Facebook

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Share our message and pass this along to those you know who may need our help.

Legacy Farms Virginia www.legacyfarmsvirginia .org

Help Build The Legacy We are currently investigating a site in Purcellville, VA, to kick off our Agricultural Skills Training Facility for Adults with Autism and other Developmental challenges. The property we are considering has a farm and a farmhouse, pastures, land for farming, a silo, horse stalls, and much more; all of which are vital for the work we seek to do. We have also connected with several local farms who are eager to work with us and potentially hire some of our graduates. Legacy Farms plans to make some real positive changes this year, but we need a little help top get there.

info@legacyfarmsvirginia.org At Legacy Farms, more than anything else, Our Mission we believe that adults with development only is deserve, but have a right Ourchallenges long-term not mission to develop a to thrive in their environments. As a farming community for adults with autism we have so much andcommunity, other disabilities where we willto learn from, and so much to teach one another. Our effort provide meaningful and stable job training be young,opportunities, but it will grow because andmay employment safe high- at the end housing, of the road is hope, joy, and happiness for quality essential residential and that get involved. dayall programs, and criticalWhether lifespanyou are Robert Michael wasorborn someone whoHensel is helping, one with of the ones services to adults with autism spectrum Spina bifida. being helped, thedevelopmental result can onlyand/or be a positive disorders and other He is also a Guinness one. The purpose of World human Records life is to serve, intellectual disabilities. holder for the to longest non-stop wheelie to show compassion and the will to in help Byand donating the “Help Build the a wheelchair, covering a total distance of others.campaign, you will put us Legacy” 6.178 miles. Albert one stepSchweitzer. closer to fulfilling the • dream. Limitations only go so far. •

Know me for my abilities, not my disability.

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I don't have a dis-ability, I have a different-ability. The Effort is Real! Go ahead and label me, cause labels are made for gifts.

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How YOU Can Help!—Patrick Cox We have partnered with several organizations that make donating fun and ensure our supporters are getting something back in return: •

Buy a t-shirt and support the cause at http://www.booster.com/legacyfarms

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Join The Cause Network and whenever you shop online, a portion of your purchase will go towards Legacy Farms, up to 10% at no extra cost to you. Join our site at: http://legacyfarms.causenetwork.com/

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My disability has opened my eye's to see my true abilities. When everyone else says you can't, determination says,"YES YOU CAN."

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There is no greater disability in society, than the inability to see a person as more I have a Disability yes that’s The Smiles true, but areall Real! that really means is I may have to take a slightly different path than you.

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As a disabled man, let my life be a reflection of the endless amount of ability that exists in each and everyone of us. We, the one's who are challenged, need to be heard. To be seen not as a disability, but as a person who has and will continue to bloom. To be seen not only as a handicap, but also as a well intact human being.

LEGACY FARMS HELPING ADULTS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL CHALLENGES | Issue II 3

Legacy Farms Virginia www.legacyfarmsvirginia .org info@legacyfarmsvirginia.org