MOUNT VERNON – Students from the Knox Learning Center enjoyed a unique field trip recently, thanks to support from a community partnership.
The students, participants in the Learning Center’s Transition U program, toured Dawes Arboretum in Newark. The March 24 visit was funded by a grant provided by Community Roots in Mount Vernon.
Kim Hood is director of Transition U, which teaches independent living skills to students ages 17 to 21 who have varying degrees of learning disabilities. Transition U and the Learning Center are operated by the Knox Educational Service Center.
“Community Roots is one of our community partners. They secured a grant that enabled us to explore Dawes Arboretum,” Hood said. “A tour guide explained the arboretum’s history and noted the different trees, the spiral herb garden and many other plans. We also visited the Japanese garden.”
Kim Frye is director of the nonprofit Community Roots, which provides horticulture opportunities for schools and the community at large from the former Glass Garden Greenhouse site on West Gambier Street.
“We were able to obtain a $500 grant from Community Fund Ohio, which supports individuals with disabilities,” Frye said, noting that March is Disabilities Awareness Month. “We have worked with Transition U for several years.”
The grant paid for bus transportation, admission to Dawes Arboretum and related costs.
Frye and Community Roots volunteer Nancy Bevan accompanied the Transition U group.
“Dawes gave us a really good deal,” Frye said. “And the tour guide was very knowledgeable and accommodating. I believe it was a rewarding experience for everyone.”
On the way back to the Learning Center the Transition U group stopped for lunch at the Jitterbug Café in Utica.