On summer days, Bernice Price and Patricia Sabatino can often be found in the backyard, diligently checking on the progress of their vegetables, watering flowers, and seeing what’s growing.  

This year, the ladies and their residential care team at the Elmwood Lane house successfully grew a number of crops and vegetables. They also planted flowers, filling the space around their house with colorful blooms throughout the season. 

“Corn, cucumber, tomatoes, blueberry, and peppers,” Patricia said, sharing everything that they grew this year.  

“We had corn, but the rabbit ate it,” Bernice added.  

For the last three years, the ladies have been developing their gardening skills with the support of Marie David, their overnight Direct Support Professional (DSP), who leads most of the gardening work. During the day, Patricia and Bernice help tend the garden with Folusho Smith, Residential Assistant Manager, and Kadene Catenhead, Medical Case Worker.  

While Patricia and Bernice love getting their hands dirty in the garden, their roommates Christine Marra, Jessica Campbell, Grace Calabria and Kariann Finn prefer to spend time in their own way 

“I like to water it,” Kariann said. She also hangs out there from time to time and admires the plants. 

The roommates also like hosting family and friends in the space.  

This June, the house hosted an all-white themed barbecue in their backyard. 

“It was jam-packed. You couldn’t fit another person out there if we tried,” Jessica said with a laugh. 

While Marie introduced  gardening at the house, it has grown into a bonding experience for everyone.  

“Almost every day we check on them,” Bernice said. “We do everything: watering, digging, putting the topsoil.”  

The women find the garden rewarding, and the staff members are happy to lend a hand keeping their space beautiful. 

“This is their home,” Folusho said. 

And, after three years, the garden has become a part of that home—where vegetables grow, flowers bloom, and everyone can spend time enjoying together.