People's United Bank Supports Farmstand Jobs for People with Intellectual Disability

Ledyard, CT – People’s United Community Foundation has granted $4,000 to The Arc New London County Farmstand allowing for an expansion of a garden, pumpkin patch and expanded employment training opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD).
 
In 2013, The Arc New London County’s Employment Transition Center (ETC) began implementing an aquaponics project to innovatively provide people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) eco-friendly employment technology and training opportunities along with affordable healthy food options, and pesticide-free, locally grown produce to share with the community year-round. People’s United Community Foundation was an early supporter of The Arc’s green technology initiatives. Building on the project’s success, The Arc NLC continues to expand the effort to include outdoor gardening with the creation of The Arc New London County Farm Stand in 2015. A creative effort of The Arc NLC’s participants and employee team, the expansion into outdoor farming and the launching of a farm stand selling fresh vegetables at a retail location on Rt. 117 in Ledyard will double The Arc NLC’s training capacity for people with I/DD and will create hands-on learning experiences in a growing field for participants.
 
The Arc New London County is a 63-year-old local nonprofit agency providing support to over 550 people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families in Southeastern Connecticut.
 
For enrollment information and information on employment training opportunities please contact Bonnie Jones at 860.449.1529 x 301 or bjones@thearcnlc.org. For general information, please contact Meghan Horan at 860.889.4435 x116 or mhoran@thearcnlc.org.