Press Releases

    Roses For Autism is Growing More Than Just Roses

    Roses for Autism is under construction. With the help of a $750,000 grant from the State of Connecticut, Pinchbeck’s Rose Farm in Guilford is undergoing major renovations to its greenhouses and its retail space.

     
    Julie Hipp, manager at Roses for Autism says the renovations will allow the farm to increase rose production. “We are growing again!” said Hipp. “These renovations will allow us to increase operations by expanding our retail facility, creating greater packing room space and improving the efficiency of the greenhouse,” she said.
     
    The bond money will also be used to purchase a new van, which will help increase flower distribution. “This is critical as we prepare for the high volume of orders around Valentine’s Day,” said Hipp.
     
    Roses for Autism is a subsidiary of Ability Beyond Disability, an organization that has been helping people with disabilities throughout CT and NY for nearly 60 years. Roses for Autism was founded in 2009 through a collaboration between Ability Beyond Disability, Pinchbeck’s Rose Farm and Jim Lyman, the parent of a child with Autism. As a nonprofit social enterprise, Roses for Autism is dedicated to growing independence in the business world for individuals with Autism and other disabilities.
     
    The vision of Roses for Autism is to create a replicable model for employing adults with autism, so the expansion project also includes the creation of a classroom environment for individuals who participate in the organization’s career training program.
     
    Tom Fanning, President & CEO of Ability Beyond Disability says that the grant money and renovations are going to translate into more employment opportunities for people on the autism spectrum.
     
    “This new classroom will give individuals with autism the opportunity to learn the skills needed to be productive employees at the rose farm and in other industries,” said Fanning.
     
    A groundbreaking ceremony will be held at the rose farm on Wednesday January 18th at 11:00am. State Representative Pat Widlitz will be in attendance along with other community leaders who were essential in securing the funding for this project.
     
    About Roses for Autism:
    Roses for Autism was founded by Ability Beyond Disability, and brings together the legacy of Pinchbeck Rose Farm with a new transitional program and employment opportunities for adults on the autism spectrum. Through Roses for Autism people with autism grow, package and sell 16 varieties of roses, year-round. For more information please visit www.rosesforautism.com.
Meet Bethany “Ability Beyond Disability helped prepare Bethany for her life after high school; the work experience she gained and the skills she learned will help her be successful well into the future.”