Local Girl Scout Troop Creates Gardens for Residents of Special Needs Homes

As part of its efforts to more fully integrate their individuals within their communities, Family Residences and Essential Enterprises, Inc. (FREE), welcomed members of Suffolk County Girl Scout Troop #1853 of Ridge to two of their residences for individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities. The Girl Scouts moved hostas, planted flowers, created signage, painted stepping stones, made wind chimes, and birdhouses. The Girl Scouts project at FREE also had to include sustainability, so many of the items they made were from recycled components. The project is part of their Silver Award—the highest award a Girl Scout Cadette can earn. Individuals in FREE’s residential programs receive skills development in such areas as socialization, recreation, problem solving, personal development, activities of daily living, travel training, health care and medication maintenance, and many more. FREE provides residential services for individuals who are differently abled in over 100 communities, throughout Long Island and New York City.

About the Girl Scouts of Suffolk County
Girl Scouts of Suffolk County is the largest youth-serving agency on Long Island. It serves more than 40,000 girls between the ages of 5 and 17, with the dedicated support of more than 7,000 volunteers. For more information about Girl Scouts, please call 631.543.6622 or visit www.gssc.us.

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