CHHS takes service event to AACORN Farm

Students, staff and faculty participated in a college-wide volunteer opportunity at AACORN Farm on Friday, March 30. At the facility, AACORN provides enrichment and experiential opportunities for adults with developmental disabilities. In conjunction with United Way, volunteers worked on a number of projects, inside and out, to prepare the facilities and grounds as the new home for the animals and growing season.

Around 50 CHHS students, staff and faculty volunteers arrived at the facility armed with rakes, shovels and brooms. For a facility that employs a staff of five, the size and energy of the CHHS workforce provided a much-needed wave of assistance in cleaning up the large property and preparing it for spring and summer activities.

"We were very happy to have so many volunteers for this inaugural Day of Caring," says Nancy Cretsinger, director of academic and student services at the college. "It's incredibly gratifying to see the college providing a service for such a worthy organization. And the staff was clearly grateful for the manpower."

Volunteers received t-shirts, as well as a free lunch and plenty of bottled water. Toward the end of the day, AACORN staff brought out their baby goats for holding and feeding. This seemed to be enjoyed by both the volunteers and the goats. In March, AACORN brought their baby goats to WMU as a treat for clients at Senior Day Services.

Neither a date nor a venue has been selected for next year, but the college does plan to organize a second annual Day of Caring in 2019.

About AACORN

AACORN was formed by several parents of individuals with autism in 2011. By 2013, young adults with developmental disabilities were coming to the ranch to learn about animal care, gardening, arts and crafts, and to participate in outdoor activities that emphasized fitness, teamwork, and positive responses to others. The program has quickly grown to serve more individuals, as well as classes from the KRESA young adult program. Culinary activities, sewing, and making goat milk products have been added to the curriculum. Participants connect to the community by making regular deliveries of fresh eggs and hand-tied fleece blankets to Kalamazoo’s YWCA. aacornfarm.org