Each October, Ivymount joins the national celebration of National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), honoring the many ways inclusive employment strengthens our communities. For Ivymount students, the opportunity to work and learn in real-world environments is a vital part of preparing for adulthood. These experiences are made possible through the generosity of local partners who believe in the value and talent of every individual.
Innovation Through Inclusion at Locust Grove
“Tools we developed for Ivymount students have made it easier for everyone to do their job.”
At Locust Grove Nature Center, students spend their mornings immersed in the outdoors, helping to care for the park’s animals, gardens, and learning spaces. For Jackie Raiford, Park Naturalist and Volunteer Coordinator, the partnership with Ivymount reflects the mission of Montgomery Parks itself. “At Montgomery Parks, we strive to make nature accessible to people of all ages and abilities, and being able to offer volunteer opportunities to Ivymount students is in line with our mission,” Raiford explained. “We know that there are tons of benefits to spending time in natural outdoor spaces, physical and mental health benefits, and those benefits should be available to everyone.”
Raiford has watched Ivymount students become a part of the Locust Grove community, bringing both hard work and heart to every task. “This is a really hard working, reliable group of volunteers and they bring so much to our office and our programs,” she said. “What I enjoy most about working with Ivymount is just watching them grow over the course of the semester and getting to know them. They just make our office a much more fun and joyful place to be.”
Over time, the partnership has inspired innovation within the center. Raiford shared, “We’ve benefited a lot from having this partnership with Ivymount, especially when it comes to creating more universal design.” Working together, the team developed practical tools to support students and staff alike. “Things that we’ve done to make it easier for the Ivymount students to complete their tasks have made it easier for everyone to do their job here,” she said. “A lot of these tools that we’ve developed have spilled over into our public programming, so we’re offering all those benefits to our park visitors.”
Her message to other employers is simple: “If you’re considering hiring someone with a disability or partnering with Ivymount, I can’t recommend it highly enough. I highly recommend the partnership and I’m really glad we’ve been able to be partners with Ivymount for as long as we have.”
A Lasting Impact at Koiner Urban Farm
“Ivymount students remind us of the joy that outside work can bring.”
At Koiner Urban Farm, students help set up for the weekly farmers market, care for the crops, prepare for harvest, and contribute to the community. The Charles Koiner Conservancy for Urban Farming is a nonprofit land trust dedicated to “protecting and stewarding urban farms and gardens in Montgomery County.” Their mission is to “create and sustain a network of neighborhood farms that promote healthy living, inspire food system innovation, and build community resilience.”
For Executive Director Katherine Medina, partnering with Ivymount strengthens that mission. “Partnering with the Ivymount School aligns with our mission and vision in a variety of ways, from helping our organization create a more inclusive and accessible outdoor space for people of all abilities, to performing a very specific and much-needed task each week,” Medina said. “We count on Ivymount students to set up the market every Thursday morning from April through October. Without Ivymount performing this important job, we would be scrambling to get everything done before the market opens.”
Koiner staff say the students’ presence is felt far beyond their weekly tasks. Jessie Sholder, Jobsite Supervisor, shared, “The energy and overwhelming happiness that the Ivymount students bring to the farm every Thursday morning fills the Harvesters with joy.”
Medina also noted that the students’ positivity has lasting effects on everyone around them. “Ivymount students bring an unmatched level of excitement and energy to the farm,” she said. “This positivity is very grounding for our staff and volunteers, especially on the hot dog days of summer. The Ivymount students remind us of the joy that outside work can bring and the pure happiness of open space.”
Advice for Employers: Think Differently
“It makes an organization stronger when staff are able to see things from different perspectives.”
Her advice to other employers reflects the benefits of diverse hiring practices. “Think differently about your work and really try to compartmentalize the tasks into clear steps. It is really important for staff to work with people who don’t all think alike. It makes an organization stronger when staff are able to see things from different perspectives.”
As this year’s NDEAM celebration comes to a close, Ivymount extends heartfelt thanks to all of our jobsite partners for creating inclusive environments where every student can learn, contribute, and shine. Their commitment ensures that the values of NDEAM, such as access, opportunity, and inclusion, live on throughout the year.
Hear directly from Locust Grove’s Jackie Raiford and see Ivymount students in action in this short video that captures the heart of their partnership.
