Fact Sheet: Hope Springs Farm

• Organization Name- Hope Springs Farm , United Cerebral Palsy of Central Pennsylvania.

• Description of the Project: A licensed adult day program providing social, pre-vocational and community service opportunities to adults with disabilities in an agricultural setting.

• Mission Statement: To offer to persons with developmental disabilities an innovative, licensed adult day program through meaningful work on a farm, so that they can maximize their abilities.

• Core Value:  To serve adults with a variety of disabilities who are not yet able to perform competitive employment.

• Needs in the Community: The population of adults with disabilities is underserved. The agriculturally-based program at Hope Springs Farm is unique in allowing the participants to learn pre-vocational skills through the natural rhythms of agriculture and the responsibilities of animal care.

• Service Area: The Hope Springs Farm project will draw from Dauphin, Lebanon, Cumberland and Perry counties in cooperation with United Cerebral Palsy of Central Pennsylvania.

• Statistics: There is no comparable program in these counties. There is a waiting list in these counties for adult day programs.

•  Growers: Our participants (called "growers") come up to five days a week. Our plans are to serve 8-9 growers per day. Not all growers choose to attend every day.

       Proposed Programs and Services: Participants at Hope Springs Farm will plan, plant, tend and harvest organic vegetable crops which will be used in cooking programs and donated to local charities. Participants will care for small animals: chickens, sheep and rabbits. In the winter months participants will be involved in cooking, baking and farm crafts.

• Therapeutic Approach:  The natural rhythms of planting, tending and harvesting will teach such pre-vocational skills as planning, teamwork, responsibility, cause and effect and provide the opportunity to do community service by donating produce. Social opportunities through communal lunches, shared cooking and crafts will also be provided at Hope Springs Farm.

• Location: Hope Springs Farm, 201 Trail Road, Hershey, PA 17033 is a 17 acre farm in East Hanover Township, Dauphin County. Located three miles west of Hersheypark.

• Building and Design Features:  Hope Springs Farm features a vegetable and flower garden, a barn with small animals, and an Activity Center. The Activity Center is fully wheelchair accessible with a full kitchen, craft room, dining and living area.

• Operations:  The activity center was completed in September of 2005. The program opened Oct. 17th 2005.

• Hours of  Operation: Monday through Friday 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. Special events on weekends.

• Employees/Volunteers:  United Cerebral Palsy of Central Pennsylvania  provides professional staff for the Hope Springs Farm program. Many volunteer opportunities exist for maintenance, animal care, farming and special programs.

• Fundraising Opportunities: Corporate sponsorships and naming opportunities are available. Individual contributions are also welcome.  Hope Springs Farm is a United Way Partner.