(Submitted by Bittersweet Farms)
For the residents at Bittersweet Farms, like all of us, the COVID-19 pandemic has been a significant disruption to daily life. However, for individuals with autism, disruptions to daily routines can be especially difficult. In the face of the COVID-19 pandemic and all the resulting changes, the residents at Bittersweet Farms have been amazingly resilient, and their stories can be an inspiration for all of us.
Since all non-essential services are currently suspended at Bittersweet, the Day Program—which houses Bittersweet’s Gardens and Creative Arts vocational programs, among others—is currently closed. Yet, the closure of the Day Program has not stopped Bittersweet’s residents from following their passions and continuing to develop their vocational skills.
Two residents at Bittersweet’s Pemberville location, Bob and Tom, have been working with staff to grow vegetables while maintaining safe physical distance. Excited to grow vegetables for their meals this spring and summer, Bob and Tom have been diligently working six feet apart in the hoop house to seed, transplant seedlings, water, and care for their plants each day.
Committed to keeping residents engaged while at home, staff from Bittersweet’s Whitehouse Community Living program partnered with local artist Greg Justus to provide custom coloring pages during this time of social distancing.
Residents have enjoyed receiving fresh new coloring pages and expressing their creativity with each new design. Residents have also completed countless other art projects, including painted ceramic figurines, watercolors, and wax paper stained glass.
The mission of Bittersweet Farms is to positively impact the lives of individuals with autism and those whose lives they touch. By sharing their stories of resilience and determination, we hope that in some small way, you are now one whose life has been touched by our residents. We are in this together.
Since 1983, Bittersweet Inc. has been successfully serving adults and adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders across three locations in Ohio. Bittersweet offers unique supports that encourage individuals with autism to grow and develop their abilities and talents in an agricultural setting. The mission of Bittersweet Inc. is to positively impact the lives of individuals with autism and those whose lives they touch.
