Angelo Rea and Derek Zanatta say they love tending to tomato, kale and other plants in the new greenhouse at the Bethesda Community Services site in Vineland.
"I water the plants; I like to help my friends," said Rea, 54. "It really keeps my energy going," added 51-year-old Zanatta.
The two men are among about 75 adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities who live at Bethesda group homes at the 38-hectare (95-acre) site on Fly Road. Officials at the non-profit organization said working in the greenhouse, as part of the organization's gardening program, has really improved the residents' quality of life.
"It had a significant impact on their lives, so we wanted to expand the program," said Bethesda chief executive officer Paul McGowan. He said the gardening program began three years ago when United Way Niagara helped residents build a small greenhouse they could only use in the summer. With the expanded program, supported by $75,000 over three years from Meridian Credit Union, a new, all-season greenhouse was added to the smaller building this past spring.
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