TO GIVE, TO INSPIRE | Local Greenhouse One of Kane County's Largest Employers of Special Needs R

WE GROW DREAMS GREENHOUSE OF WEST CHICAGO Ah, yes – it’s summer and the season I gear up for gardening and landscaping. I am ready to forget all that snow and torrential rain for lush flower beds and tasty fresh vegetables.

If you are inspired as well to start your planting, I would urge you to consider supporting the We Grow Dreams Greenhouse in West Chicago. They grow nearly 1000 variety of plants, including annuals, perennials, vegetables, herbs, succulents, and fall mums.

However, what makes We Grow Dreams Greenhouse different is they are one of DuPage and Kane County’s largest employers for people with disabilities. The program began 15 years ago with the very simple mission dedicated to training and employing people with disabilities and giving them an opportunity for paid employment.

Currently, We Grow Dreams employs 30 team members. Each year they bring in new team members from various high schools and organizations including individuals who are seeking employment. “We are most proud of the fact that our team members are being paid to work and learn how to conduct themselves properly in a work environment,” says Gregg Bettcher, Executive Director for We Grow Dreams Greenhouse. “Skills like being on time, dressing properly, how to listen to instruction, how to complete tasks and punch in and out are all a part of working at We Grow Dreams.” In doing this, the foundation honors the concepts of human dignity, respect, hard work, fellowship and friendship.

The team members are instrumental in many facets of both production and maintenance of the grounds and growing houses and are involved in the everyday tasks of preparing the pots for filling and planting. In addition to greenhouse work, the team members also garden the raised beds and grow vegetables for food banks throughout the suburbs.

Our communities can help support the We Grow Dreams Foundation by purchasing their spring, summer and fall plants from the Greenhouse as well as following their Facebook postings to keep up with donation needs and fundraising events. Visit them at www.wegrowdreams.org and the greenhouse located at 1055 W. Washington in West Chicago.

Mindy’s July Giving Inspiration: Participate in a clean-up day in your neighborhood.

ABOUT THE WRITER Mindy Kyle is the owner of Be Inspired Studios and is passionate about helping people discover what brings them joy and to live a full, healthy and happy life. She has her Masters in Fine Arts degree in creative writing from DePaul University and lives in Naperville with her husband, three children and the cutest dog in the land.

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