URGENT PROBLEM
There are too many special needs individuals without meaningful employment. We want to help change that.
SOLUTION
My husband and I started a vineyard/winery in order to give our 16 year old autistic daughter a place to work as she enters adulthood. Over the past couple
of years her friends have come to volunteer in the vineyard, as it turns out it is the perfect job opportunity for not only autistic individuals, but all special needs persons. As the vineyard/winery routine is very ritualistic from year to year, which creates
a comfort zone for these individuals. Also, no matter what their ability is there is always a job they are able to perform, and they get to work with friends without the worry of displaying their individual uniqueness. We would like to expand our current
production from 3000 bottles to 10,000 bottles yearly by purchasing more fermentation tanks, grape juice, vines trellising, and opening a tasting room. this would allow us to expand the employment opportunities of special needs individuals in our community.
Our wish is for them to be able to go to work with their friends in a familiar atmosphere and be themselves, and feel that they have accomplished something meaningful.
Special Needs School Comes to Vineyard for Harvest
APPENTICESHIP/INTERNSHIP
We are beginning working with local schools to create apprentice/internship positions. In order to develop skills needed for after high school employment in
our own and other local vineyards. There are presently 7 local vineyards. During this years harvest we invited our daughters school out to experience the harvest and processing of the grapes. The teachers and students were both apprehensive about the harvest
experience, however at the end of the day both student and teachers thoroughly enjoyed the experience and wanted to come back next year. One of the teachers stated, "I can't believe what an effect this has had on my student he is so calm and focused."
PRESENT SUCCESS
This year we have been able to hire some of our daughter friends for seasonal work. The best part has been the thrill that you receive when you are at the store
with them and they see a bottle of the wine that they picked that grapes for and bottled the wine and placed the label and cap. They get so excited, its wonderful!
CALL TO ACTION
Please help to make life meaningful for special needs individuals. A 5 dollar donations will purchase a grape vine, 20 dollars trellising for 3 vines. 50 dollar
donation will purchase 2 square feet of patio area, 100 dollars 2 square feet of tasting room space. 1000 dollars 1/5 of the road and parking area.
For more picutres and information on Green Mountain Vineyards go to
greenmountainvineyards.com or our facebook page
