Trillium, LEF, and Meadowlark Hearth Farm Collaborate
to Offer Internships to Deaf Students
2018 has been a busy and productive year for LEF!
One of the highlights was LEF’s collaboration with Patricia B. Gans, MD, Director of the Trillium Deaf Program, a small 501c3 working to bridge the gap between Deaf and Hearing cultures. LEF supported the hosting of five young people between eight
een and twenty-one years with hearing challenges, to join the Meadowlark Hearth farm community in July for a month-long internship for Deaf students transitioning from high school to the mainstream work world.
In Dr. Gans’ words, ”The participants worked and learned in a
communication accessible environment as part of the larger farm community. Participants taught American Sign Language to farm staff and we all worked together to build communication skills and strategies. We cooked together, farmed together, milked together, shredded and jarred sauerkraut together, braided garlic together, sold at the farmers market together, and played together, learning to appreciate each other’s gifts and challenges. The experience of inclusivity is a priceless treasure.”
If you would like to support LEF’s work with this program and many other offerings, in 2019, please be in touch using the “Contact” form on this site. We look forward to hearing from you!
