CSB developmental disabilities staff visited Legacy Farms, one of many options offered by the CSB’s Self Directed Services program, this week. Legacy Farms helps individuals with autism build job skills and find competitive employment.

Since 2011, Legacy Farms has provided a sustainable model of seasonable employment for young people across Northern Virginia. In response to this growing need, the farm recently expanded program offerings to include four seasonal courses and two workshops that provide job skills training to more than 100 participants. Upon completion of each course, the goal is for 40% of the participants to be job placement-ready. The other participants will continue to oversee the garden and greenhouse, and enjoy other Legacy Farms Day Program services, which will include Health & Well-Being, Life and Social Skill Development, and Farm and Art Therapy.

Are you interested in helping create and support day and employment opportunities like Legacy Farms for someone you care about? If you have a child with developmental disabilities, or are interested in being part of an effort to help create and foster inclusive and integrated community, get involved: join the Welcoming Inclusion Network (WIN). Attend an upcoming WIN meeting to learn more:

• Monday, August 13, 6:30 p.m., ServiceSource, 10467 White Granite Drive Oakton, VA, 22124
• Monday, August 27, 6:30 p.m., ServiceSource, 10467 White Granite Drive Oakton, VA, 22124
• Monday, September 17, 6:30 p.m., Herrity Building, 12055 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax, VA, 22035, Rooms 106/107

The goal of the WIN collaborative is to build opportunities for increased information and resource sharing, ensure service equity and efficiency, and boost employment opportunities through existing and new service models.

Together, we can encourage, support and improve inclusion and integration in our community.

When inclusion happens, we ALL WIN.