Homesteads for Hope, a nonprofit inclusive community farm for people of all abilities, held a ground breaking ceremony on April 12 to celebrate progress on its Forever Homestead Project. The project involves the renovation of and addition to the nearly 200-year-old estate home to create a more than 6,500 square foot community center. The Forever Homestead will include a large teaching kitchen, multiple classrooms, gathering space, staff offices and a five-bedroom transitions apartment for modernized, farm student housing. The project will allow Homesteads for Hope to expand its programs all year round. Construction began in February and is expected to be completed in September.
Jennyrae Brongo, CEO and Founder of Homesteads for Hope, said she was proud to see the progress on the project that has been part of the plan since the purchase of the 55-acre canalside property in 2016.
“We knew that the Forever Homestead would be the heart of our organization with a central place for us to gather, to enjoy our farm to table teaching kitchen, and to expand our programs with new, fully accessible learning spaces. We are especially excited about the farmers’ residence part of this project because it provides choice for our apprentices who want to work and live here. We are finally putting the HOME in Homesteads,” said Brongo. “The Forever Homestead will have multiple opportunities to provide people with all they need to transition to adulthood when the school bus stops coming. That is exactly why Homesteads for Hope was started. We are here for my brother Chucky and for everyone who has been underestimated and wants a place to belong and feel appreciated.”
Former Senator Joe Robach presented Brongo with the State Senate Certificate of Recognition on behalf of Senator Rob Ortt. “This groundbreaking is not only a celebration for the people who attend programs here. This is a victory for our entire community,” Robach said. “This wouldn’t be happening if it wasn’t for Jenny’s leadership and the backing of all the donors, sponsors, and local contractors who are investing in this important mission. As a father to an autistic stepson, I know on a personal level how needed Homesteads is. We have a place to go and people to turn to that will make sure good things happen no matter a person’s age or ability level.”
Ogden Town Supervisor Mike Zale spoke about how the farm has grown over the years. “I had the great fortune of meeting of getting to know Jenny’s mom who was one of the original visionaries for all of this. When Luann passed, Jenny and her team stayed true to her vision, navigated the bumps in the road, and because of the firm foundation, this project has come to fruition. There are 600 families that are served here. 600! That’s incredible,” Zale said.
Homesteads for Hope launched its Pave the Way fundraising campaign last spring with a goal of raising $3 million and has successfully raised $1 million so far.
Brongo said, “We still have $2 million to our goal and we are looking to all of you to keep dreaming with us and investing in us, so we can get this very important phase done. We need to be open and accessible year-round. We have heard of accessible playgrounds, but have we heard of an accessible farm? We will do it here and create a fully inclusive setting for our greater community. The completion of our current phase will triple our impact and it paves the way to housing here at Homesteads!”
For more information on Homesteads for Hope, including it programs and ways to support its mission, visit http://homesteadsforhope.org.
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