Every parent dreams of a future where their children will live safe, happy lives and become active members of society. When your child has a developmental disability the dreams for their future can lead to different concerns for parents. Two sets of parents, Suzanne and Alan Zimmerman and Peaches and David Cunningham had a dream to alleviate some of these concerns. In 2006, they launched what is called The Farmer’s House, hoping to change the futures of disabled youths across the Kansas City metro area and beyond.
Serving as a functioning farm for kids, teens, and young adults to live, work, play, and develop, the program now has locations in Weston, Platte City and North Kansas City, Missouri. The organized programs are built to be a supportive, positive environment. They provide work experience, employment services, community integration and social enrichment. Heavily researched before its launch, The Farmer’s House serves as a genuine farm, designed to help the disabled learn independence.
The goal of the program is to transition students into the adult world. By helping them utilize their skills and engage with their community and work on their independence, The Farmer’s House aims at employment as the ultimate goal. Students work in gardens, fields, retail stores, kitchens, and more, learning important life skills and attitudes they can carry over to their future employment.
The non-profit organization is supported by donations and by the retail stores they have in Weston and Platte City. Their markets have a variety of items, like home goods, kitchen items and gifts. They also carry specialty jams, apple butter and pickled items.
The Farmer’s House has made a huge impact on many disabled youths and their families. By equipping these students with life skills that go beyond the farm, these two couples have truly delivered on their dream to help them change their future.
Set a time to visit one of their amazing locations and visit their website to learn more or make a donation.