Dakota Communities | Award of Excellence | Disabilities Wellness Isanti County

The Award of Excellence program is to either recognize newly implemented projects, programs or initiatives that have occurred during the previous year or for a project that has resulted in substantial change or improvement to a program, facility, or event. A major goal of the program is to increase public awareness and appreciation of the excellent parks, trails, recreation and leisure services available throughout Minnesota.

The Dakota Communities Garden Warrior Program was created as an opportunity for the people we support to not only clean and maintain the gardens at the Minnesota State Fair grounds, but to give back to a community that has given to them for many years. By jumping into the dirt and becoming a volunteer gardener, the people we support have the opportunity to do much more than weed and plant. They have the opportunity to work along side people who are their neighbors, community members, and hopefully through the process of this project, their new friends. The State of Minnesota is a leader in breaking down the walls of the state institutions that were home to our residents who have disabilities. The Garden Warrior Program took that next step in breaking down those walls that continue to keep people from their communities. People with disabilities can now enjoy their communities, work alongside their community members, and have the opportunity to be seen for what they can contribute--not for what holds them back. The program was made possible through grants from the Minnesota Parks and Recreation Foundation, the Gordon and Margaret Bailey Foundation and donations from many supporters to the Basic Wishes Fund at Dakota Communities.

Copyright 2011 Dakota Communities
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