May, 2011

“Dream big, laugh often and reach for the stars!”

This anonymous quote could be the mantra of Safe HavenFarms, a community of choice for adults with autism, established in southwestOhio in 2010.

Dream Big: Just a few years ago, a small group of familiesdared to envision a quality of life for their children that is often impossiblein traditional supported living programs. Their dream?  Establish a farming community for adults withautism to provide meaningful living, working, learning, and leisure activitiesin a loving and supportive farm environment, where each person is respected asa valuable and contributing community member. This dream has become reality,and can be found nestled on a 60 acre horse farm in Butler County, Ohio.

As one of only seven farm programs in the country designed solely to serve individuals with autism, Safe Haven Farms, a non-profit group home community, has already become a training model for many similar farmstead projects that are being developed. Its impact will touch the lives of thousands of people who have autism and those who care for them.  Safe Haven Farms opened its door to sixteen residents in 2010, and has already begun a therapeutic gardening program; obtained alpaca, sheep, goats, and chickens; and opened a 9000 square foot day-services center with a state of the art learning center, therapeutic arts and crafts program, and sensory room. What has been accomplished in less than three years, thanks to countless friends and volunteers, is nothing short of miraculous.

Laugh Often: Consider Pat, the unofficial greeter of Safe Haven Farms. No matter how gray the day or grumpy the recipient, Pat’s enthusiastic greeting can’t help but bring a smile to a visitor’s face. Joel’s giggle can be heard throughout House 130 as the guys talk about the upcoming community dance. Laughter rings out on a regular basis on Tuesdays at the local bowling alley, and on Thursdays at the Middletown YMCA. A daytime visit to the Hatton Center always rewards visitors with plenty of smiles. Our farmers, as well as our staff, know how to have a good time. Smiles and laughter are a natural by product of a life lived in a farm environment with plenty of exercise, meaningful work, and a rich variety of leisure activities from which to choose—a combination too often unavailable to adults with autism.

Reach for the stars: Our goal for 2011-2012 is to develop a therapeutic horseback riding program,which will be offered to those with autism who live throughout the adjoining communities. To accomplish this, we need to: add or replace fencing in our pastures; upgrade our barn by adding a restroom and replacing the stall fronts; build a small hay barn;  build an indoor and outdoor riding arena to allow all-weather riding; acquire 5-6 gentle horses suitable for therapeutic riding; and outfit our program with proper riding and animal care equipment. Projected costs for this entire project is approximately $150,000.

We will continue to impact the broader community in 2011 as our day programming extends to community residents. In addition to these plans, autism training programs will be offered to the local community; students from Miami University and Butler Tech will be integrated into our program, enhancing their educational experience; and volunteers will be trained for our therapeutic horseback riding program and our day program, enriching their lives s well as the lives of those who live with autism. There is much work yet to be done, as autism diagnoses continue to skyrocket. One of 110 children diagnosed today, maturing to adulthood, guarantees that the demand for quality adult programming and training will only increase.

As someone once said, “Dreams are renewable. No matter what our age or condition, there are still untapped possibilities within us and new beauty waiting to be born.” There is untapped potential within each and everyone of the young men and women who live and work at Safe Haven Farms. There are untapped possibilities, as well, within all those with autism whose lives SafeHaven Farms will impact in the future.

While most of our basic expenses for operating Safe Haven Farms are covered by funding streams from each of our residents on the farm, it does not cover all of our needs.  We held a run/ walk fund raising event last September and that helped cover part of the deficit and we plan to repeat that event this coming fall.  Contributions from individual donors such as your self, however make up the difference, so that we were able to cover all of our expenses.  Last year contributions to Safe Haven Farms made a huge difference and as you can see, this money was well spent.  We are hoping that you are willing to be a contributor to this farm as well.  Safe Haven Farms is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) corporation. Be assured that 100% of your dollars will go toward meaningful vocational and recreational activities for our residents.

You can be a part of these unfolding dreams in two ways.   First we hope that you are willing to make a donation to the farm to help us cover the expenses of running this farm.   Second, we are seeking donations to help us establish a therapeutic riding program so that we can expand our impact on the community. Our goal for this project is to raise $150,000 through grants and donations. Please consider supporting Safe HavenFarms financially and please tell your friends. You will not regret it!

Donations can be made online on this  website: Please see the menu item on the left labeled Donate  or send a  check made out to Safe Haven Farms, and mail it to: Safe Haven Farms,attn: Peter Jezek, PO Box 9351, Cincinnati, OH 45209. 

Thank you !!!