85 Oak Street

Hackensack NJ 07601

https://www.greensdogood.com/

https://www.reedautismservices.com/

Chantelle Walker CEO (Reed Autism Services): cwalker@reedfoundationforautism.org

Lisa Goldstein-sales director: lgoldstein@reedfoundationforautism.org

Jessalin Jaume-workforce development coordinator: jjaume@greensdogood.com

Matt Ravetier–farm manager

Jen Faust, Director of Operations-Workforce Development program, contact jfaust@reedfoundationforautism.org.

From Website:

“vertical hydroponic farming for people with disabilities, one of innovative programs of REED Autism Services of New Jersey. Farm supplies fresh greens to groceries, restaurants and food bank. Grads of REED’s teen internship program have access to placement in “green collar” field.”

My Visit:

I initially met Jake through his participation on an Israel trip where I served as group leader. As I got to know Jake during the trip, I learned that he is an entrepreneur and an incredibly interesting young mI was eager to visit Greens Do Good after a colleague mentioned their work. I had previously visited Vertical Harvest in Jackson, WY. It is not easy to find Greens Do Good as they are located in an industrial area of Hackensack, New Jersey in a complex of warehouses and garages. Behind the garage doors is a most impressive operation where people with disabilities are trained in hydroponic farming. Every aspect of the training, farming and distribution are carefully thought out and clients learn valuable work skills.

The tour started with work force development specialist, Jessalin explaining the training and showing state of the art visuals displayed on the walls (to serve as reminders of every step of the process) and a large computer screen displaying other relevant coaching tools. The workplace has various stations for each aspect of the work. There are two work slots per day of anywhere from one to three hours each. Three training semesters are offered per years.

Matt, the farm manager, provided a tour of the plant and described the technical aspects of watering, lighting and harvesting in detail. Microgreens and four main greens including basil, lettuce, kale and arugula are grown. Greens Do Good has many community partners and participates in the Bergen County Food Security Task Force.

LFrom Website:

Our mission is to transform the way our local community sources healthy produce by providing the freshest ingredients in a sustainable and socially responsible way. The program utilizes hydroponic farming, an innovative method of growing plants in a controlled, indoor environment. We use energy-efficient watering and lighting systems to nurture our crops, which are planted in stacked trays.

When you walk into Greens Do Good, among the stacked trays of basil, microgreens, and lettuce, you’ll see teens and adults with autism hard at work. Each person takes on tasks that match their interests and abilities, including crop maintenance, packaging, and inventory.

Through our Workforce Development Program, we provide more than 800 hours of training each year to teens with autism, teaching them environmentally sustainable practices along withessential job skills. This helps them build their resumes and lays the foundation for future employment. For our adult participants, we offer paid employment opportunities, valuable work experience, and meaningful community integration. To amplify the progress we’re making, we’re also working to grow our employment pipeline in partnership with other “green” businesses.

Our environment-friendly farming methods allow for year-round growing, using less space, water, and energy than traditional farms. We sell our products through home delivery and to local restaurants, country clubs, supermarkets, and food service providers — raising autism awareness as we go. We partnered with the Bergen County Food Security Task Force to provide surplus produce to families in need, right in our community.

Greens Do Good is part of the REED Autism Services family of programs, which provides support for individuals with autism so they can thrive and achieve their full potential throughout their lives.

Workforce Development:

Through our Workforce Development Program, we provide pre-employment training to teens with autism, teaching them environmentally sustainable practices and offering hands-on experience.

With the anticipated growth of the global hydroponics market approaching 22.5% through 2025, Greens Do Good provides a unique opportunity for job training within an expanding industry and works with many area schools and programs including:

Lessons Learned:

-I think first of all, we’ve learned that the demand for novel employment settings and experiences is significant. We were shocked by the response we received from a few press pieces after we launched the program.

-Employing the autism community continues to require a very individualized, methodical and supportive approach. Our interns who have lower support needs often work quickly and may want tasks of increasing responsibility, but in some cases don’t know how to advocate for that. Instead they may become frustrated when the work isn’t meeting their expectations, but perhaps cannot articulate the ‘why’. It’s required our team to hone a different set of skills that we are still refining.

-My third, and favorite lesson, is really just how we’ve observed the farm as its own ecosystem – and I’m not talking about the produce! On any given day you tour the farm and you see people with autism working alongside their neurotypical counterparts, talking about music, or politics, or life in general and I’m reminded that this is why Greens Do Good is so important. It’s work, yes, but it’s also fun. There’s a sense of accomplishment, belonging, and camaraderie. It has been one of the most rewarding experiences in my career – I’m grateful to the team who had this wild idea many years ago to start an indoor hydroponic farm with the goal of employing adults with autism.

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John and Mark X. Cronin, co-founders of John’s Crazy Socks, spoke this morning at conference held by the Ramah Camping Movement. The conference focused on ways the nationwide chain of Jewish camps can support their staff. John and Mark spoke at a session focused on Ramah’s Tikvah programs that include young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the camps through vocational training and supported employment.

John said, “I love the way Ramah supports people with differing abilities. They make a difference in so many lives.”

Howard Blas, National Ramah Tikvah Network Director, invited the Cronins to join a panel with Dave Thompson from the Nicholas Center and Spectrum Designs to share their experiences and insights into recruiting, hiring and working with people with differing abilities. The three guest speakers addressed the conference at large and then met separately with Camp leaders to discuss ways to create more jobs for people with differing abilities and to enhance their existing vocational programs. 

Dave Thompson offered that hiring people with disabilities comes down to a mindset, a willingness to see the ability of all people to contribute.   

Mark X. Cronin echoed that though in saying, “We ask that you not be blinded by a person’s limitations, instead, be awed by their possibilities.” 

Mark X. Cronin added, “We loved these conversations. It is clear that Ramah has a deep commitment to inclusion and supporting people with differing abilities. We are glad to join this panel and were impressed by the achievements of the Ramah Tikvah Network.”

At the conclusion of the event, Howard Blas told John and Mark, “Thank you for joining us, sharing your story, and offering useful, practical advice to our attendees.  You have been a hit every time I have heard you speak!    

About the Ramah Camping Movement and the Ramah Tikvah Network 

The mission of the Ramah Camping Movement is to create and sustain excellent summer camps and Israel programs that inspire commitment to Jewish life and develop the next generation of Jewish leaders. Each year, more than 11,700 campers and university-aged staff members attend their ten residential camps, five-day camps, and Israel programs. 

Since the first Ramah Tikvah program opened in 1970, the Ramah Camping Movement has continued to be a pioneer in the inclusion of Jewish campers with disabilities. Tikvah programs now operate in all Ramah camps across North America, offering the inspirational Ramah experience to Jewish children, teens, and young adults with a wide range of intellectual, developmental, or learning disabilities.

About John’s Crazy Socks

John’s Crazy Socks was inspired by John Lee Cronin, a young man with Down syndrome, and his love of colorful and fun socks—what he calls his “crazy socks.” He and his father, Mark X. Cronin, started the company as a social enterprise with a mission of Spreading Happiness™. They do this by offering socks people can love that allows an expression of one’s true self. More than half their employees have a differing ability, and their Giving Back program has raised over $475,000 for charity partners like the Special Olympics, the National Down Syndrome Society and the Autism Society of America. Most of all, they are Spreading Happiness™.

For more information about John’s Crazy Socks, visit our webpage, Facebook page, Instagram account or YouTube channel. You can also contact us at 631-760-5625 or via email at service@johnscrazysocks.com.

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We are thankfully resuming some normal pre-pandemic activities.  Ramah Professional Conference and “Elevating Our Skills to Support All Staff” 3/6 and 3/7 in White Plains, NY, followed by Faith Inclusion Network  “Reimagining Faith and Disability Inclusion Post-Pandemic” 3/10-11 in Virginia Beach, VA. I am giving two virtual presentations and one in person:

Disability and Theology Track “Ancient Jewish Sources Informing Our Current Disabilities Inclusion Work” with Howard Blas

Congregational and Ministry Track “Filling Your Toolbox: Tips For a Successful Service” with Elizabeth Barnett “Keeping Our Communities Engaged Virtually During and After the Pandemic” with Howard Blas & Maya Albin

 Finally, a Scholar in Residence talk on “Jewish Special Education Today”  at Temple Israel in Norfolk, VA

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Originally published in Jewish Insider

In Short

Birthright Israel’s “Big Tent” approach allows participants from a range of Jewish backgrounds, including families with only one Jewish parent – and, though less-widely known, to people with disabilities and medical issues. 

Isaac Orhring of Danbury, Conn., still can’t stop talking about his unique Taglit-Birthright Israel trip three years ago. “Every Jew should have the right to go on Birthright Israel as a rite of passage, just like a bar mitzvah! Unfortunately, not everyone’s aware of every kind of disability. While some disabilities are obvious, others, including autism, are not. This should not stop young Jewish adults from visiting Israel for free on Birthright Israel.” he said.

Birthright – for all Jews

Taglit-Birthright Israel is well-known around the world for its free trips to Israel for Jewish young adults between the ages of 18 and 32. Since 1999, they have given over 750,000 people from 68 countries, every U.S. state and nearly 1,000 universities the opportunity to experience Israel and Judaism first hand.

Birthright Israel’s “Big-Tent” approach welcomes participants from a range of Jewish backgrounds, including families with only one Jewish parent – and, though less-widely known, to people with disabilities and medical issues. 

The program included people with disabilities and other support needs almost from its inception, with its first accessible trip in 2001. To date, over 2,000 participants have participated in more than 75 trips through various trip provider organizations.

A “Pinch Me” Moment

In 2019, Birthright Israel reviewed its policies on disabilities, developing a mission statement that clarifies its stance that all are welcome on the trips, regardless of disability. “Guided by our Jewish values, we aim to be inclusive of all individuals with disabilities, special requirements, limitations or challenges.”

Potential participants may be considered for participation on a typical Birthright Israel trip, or they may elect to participate in a specially designed trip with support for their needs. The itinerary often includes the usual “highlights” including the Dead Sea, Masada, the Kotel and camel riding. 

Trips support participants with various intellectual, developmental physical and sensory disabilities, medical issues and addictions. Recent trips include a range of themes: American Sign Language, Asperger’s syndrome, inflammatory bowel disorders, physical medical disabilities, twelve-step recovery and others.

Feedback to date has been positive.

Pamela Saeks, mother of an Aspergers trip participant said, “For years we searched for an organized trip to Israel that had the additional support necessary to enable Karly to participate.” Birthright’s willingness to include Karly was a “‘Pinch me, I must be dreaming’ moment,” she said.

Danny Wolf of Los Angeles participated on the Tikvah Ramah trip. He has cerebral palsy with limited mobility and verbal abilities. An aide funded by Birthright Israel assisted with feeding, self-care and communication needs. 

“It sounds corny but he has the same birthright as any other young adult who is Jewish to experience Israel independently without his parents,” Danny’s mother, Michelle Wolf, adds.

Pete, a participant on a Birthright Israel twelve-step recovery trip, reflected on his childhood Hebrew school experience, followed by “a series of events that paved the way for trouble” and subsequent addiction issues.

“Recovery has been my path to taking responsibility and to growing up,” he said. “Coming on Birthright Israel, I knew I would have a chance to have a second bar mitzvah. I brought my tallit and tefillin, which I received for my original bar mitzvah. This trip has given me the chance to have my real bar mitzvah and today I am ready to embrace the responsibility that it entails.”

Building a Special Trip

Most Aspergers trips include a visit to the Holon Children’s Museum “Invitation to Silence” exhibit. During the hour-long tour, participants are taught by deaf guides to use non-verbal communication. Participants gain a better understanding of the Israeli deaf community, and the deaf guides learn of the many strengths of people on the autism spectrum. 

Some trips include visiting army bases to meet soldiers with disabilities as part of the “Special in Uniform” program. The soldiers with disabilities share their experience in the army and national service and of their overall experience as an Israeli with autism. The encounter usually ends with a joint pizza party and the exchanging of contact information on social media.

As Israel’s borders continue to open even more to tourism and as the number of Birthright Israel trips increase, it is a good time to continue spreading the word about Birthright Israel’s commitment to sharing the Birthright Israel experience with every Jewish — with and without disabilities and medical needs.

The authors have been associated with and committed to Taglit-Birthright and accessible trips for many years. Elizabeth Sokolsky is the executive director of Taglit-Birthright Israel. Howard Blas is a social worker, special education teacher, Jewish educator and writer. He has been associated with the Tikvah (disabilities inclusion) program at Camp Ramah for 35 years. He currently serves as the director of the National Ramah Tikvah Network. He has led one Tikvah Birthright Israel trip for participants with intellectual and developmental disabilities through Amazing Israel and four Birthright Aspergers trips through Shorashim.

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