Greenhouse
Recreation Opportunities Workshop (G.R.O.W.) is a community-
based program that is helping persons with developmental
disabilities learn horticulture. The greenhouse is located on
the scenic West Sayville Golf Course. It is an historic
building that is leased to DDI rent free in exchange for growing
plants to decorate Suffolk County parks. Initially, we needed
to renovate this dormant greenhouse, but with the cooperation of
the local community and Suffolk County Parks Department, it was
made operational again.
G.R.O.W. is a non-for-profit
greenhouse and works on a break even budget.
We rely on donations from greenhouse supply companies and
produce crops for sales that provide horticulture training
scholarships for persons with developmental disabilities.
Working in the G.R.O.W. greenhouse provides individuals with
different learning disabilities the opportunity to be trained in
a community-based environment with staff who address their
special needs.
Individuals
also receive many social benefits from being at a
community-based greenhouse. They get to socialize during breaks
and go to into neighboring community to do errands. The golf
course, where the greenhouse is located on, is also one of
Suffolk County's Parks and offers many other activities that
promote mainstreaming and integration.
