VersAbility Receives Grant from Sentara Health to Support Project Independence
VersAbility Resources received a $3,000 grant from Sentara Health toward its Project Independence program that provides support, skill development, tools and resources to help underserved adults reach their highest level of independence.
The grant funds will allow VersAbility to expand the program offerings by creating inclusive community events that nurture self-determination, independence, sense of belonging and authentic community integration. Specifically, this grant will support the nonprofit’s Able Acres Market Garden.
VersAbility remains committed to ensuring people with disabilities enjoy dignified, productive lives of their choosing. To help fulfill that mission, the team started its own market garden, Able Acres in May 2023.
Able Acres Market Garden is primarily led by adults with disabilities attending Day Support programs.
Three raised beds are filled with young vegetable plants and edible flowers. The adults in VersAbility’s Day Support programs who have identified an interest in gardening and plants completed the initial planting and are responsible for sowing and harvesting.
Participants in the program engage with the community at area events, including farmers markets.
People with disabilities are at an increased risk of displacement from the community as they are overlooked and left out of community engagement opportunities. That’s why the engagement Able Acres provides at the weekly seasonal market is a powerful vehicle for acceptance and behavioral change.
The mission of Sentara Health’s grant program called Sentara Cares is to advance health equity and ensure that all members of our communities have access to the resources they need to live their healthiest and most fulfilling lives.
VersAbility is a leading provider of comprehensive services for people with disabilities of all ages. VersAbility provides early childhood, residential, day support and diverse employment programs throughout Hampton Roads and beyond.
