Therapeutic Garden Blooms at Westchester Institute for Human Development

With the help of community partners and the initiative of one of its staff members, Westchester Institute for Human Development (WIHD) has opened a new garden called “Adam’s Garden” to provide therapeutic benefits to children and families and to engage young adults with disabilities in community service.

Filled with seasonal flowers and vegetables, this landscaped area is a small, but impactful, community program. The garden is the brainchild of 24-year-old Brendan Klein, who was hired with a grant from the Taft Foundation to expand community service opportunities for young adults with disabilities. Community partners Pleasantville Community Garden and St. John’s Episcopal Church helped create the garden, which is named in memory of Adam Brickel, the son of WIHD Director of Community Support Network Naomi Brickel, Brendan’s supervisor.

Susan Fox, President and CEO of Westchester Institute for Human Development and co-chair of the BCW’s Not-for-Profit Council, said the garden represented the spirit of WIHD, a place where people put aside personal concerns to help others. She thanked Klein, his mother and father and the partners – Pleasantville Community Gardens and St. John’s Episcopal Church – who provided technical support and seed money for the project.

“This garden is a small but mighty project,’’ she said. “It shows how an idea, no matter how small, with the right support and community involvement can make a huge impact.”

At a ribbon cutting ceremony for the garden attended by staff, friends and elected officials, Brickel unveiled a wooden bench made by Klein and his father, the centerpiece of the garden. She said that she was honored and touched that Klein had suggested naming the garden after her son, who died suddenly at age 15. Brickel said that it was a fitting tribute to a young man who had spent most of his short life helping others.

Klein, who spends many hours volunteering at the Pleasantville Community Garden, said he got the idea after he learned that WIHD had once had a garden. He said he hoped the children in WIHD’s Child Welfare program, which helps to counsel families and children to prevent child abuse, would feel “happy and safe” in the garden.

The event was attended by Senator Shelley Mayer; Assemblymen David Buchwald and Tom Abinanti; The Rev. Mary Gregorius, Rector, St. John’s Episcopal Church and David Juros, Pleasantville Community Garden.

“Westchester County is so fortunate to have WIHD advocating and providing opportunities for people with disabilities to live full and rich lives,” said Marsha Gordon, President and CEO of the BCW. “In particular, the BCW is also grateful for Susan Fox’s leadership on the Not-for-Profit Council, and we look forward to continued partnerships that benefit all members of our community here in Westchester.”