We are in full swing for our upcoming ‘Thyme for Kids’ plant sale, a fundraiser for our horticultural therapy and Build Trybe program. The students enrolled in my class help manage a commercial greenhouse, learn to nurture living things, contribute to a team project, and gain a basic understanding of plant science. We have been growing annuals, perennials, herbs, houseplants, and vegetable transplants to sell to the community. "What makes horticulture therapeutic?” I am asked this question often. I believe it varies from individual to individual.
Every day, an average of 19 youth are removed from their homes in Missouri. The events that lead to a child entering foster care are traumatic enough, but the physical removal from their family compounds that trauma for everyone involved. What if families could get help before things escalated to the point their children need to be removed? Intensive In-Home Services (IIS) are specifically designed to serve families who are experiencing a crisis.
March is National Social Work Month, a time to shine a light on social workers and the incredible work that they do. From foster care case managers to intensive in-home specialists to licensing workers, they are the true unsung heroes of our organization. Rather than try and explain why social work is so important, we decided to have some of our team members explain why social workers are essential, and why they decided to take up the mantle of social work.
CharCarol Fisher is the program manager for expressive arts/combat on our Ozanam Campus. She plays Jazz as a hobby and volunteers as an instructor at the American Jazz Museum. CharCarol loves collecting vintage records, enjoys gardening and participating in community music programs for youth.
The holiday season can be stressful during a good year. Throw in a global pandemic, and things are likely to get even more tension-inducing. Mayo Clinic has identified ten ways to combat stress, avoid isolation and plan ahead as we head toward the holidays.
