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	ADULT PROGRAMS SCHOOL TOURS FAMILY PROGRAMS CAMPS SCOUT PROGRAMS BIRTHDAY PARTIES HORTICULTURE THERAPY PROGRAMS CERTIFICATE PROGRAM		What is H.E.L.P.? The Horticulture Enrichment & Learning Program is a non-residential, intensive day treatment program designed to assist alienated, older youth in becoming invested in self-improvement, their community and their future. The Garden's therapeutic setting is used as a treatment tool for esteem building, role modeling, intense counseling and behavior modification. Our afternoon GED classes are held in a brand new facility with full scale windows overlooking a magnificent vista of plants, water and wildlife. Purpose Our purpose is to provide a safe setting for children who can benefit from the healing effects of gardening and being in a natural environment. We provide positive reinforcement, develop practical educational goals, give hands-on training, offer work experiences, facilitate small group involvement and encourage parent / guardian support. Target Population: Youth 16 - 18 years old who would benefit from our unique variety of services Youth who are two or more years behind in school, or have recently exhibited poor academic performance Youth who have been involved with the court system for runaway, truancy, traffic misdemeanor and low-level offenses. Youth who exhibit family related needs or are currently in a foster care or group home environment. Youth who suffer from the effects of physical, emotional and or /sexual abuse. Youth who are dealing with health and medical issues. Day-To-Day Activities "There is always something blooming in our Garden." H.E.L.P. is a ten week horticultural therapy program that meets Monday - Thursday. 7:30 - 9 am Transportation for Norfolk residents. Drop off point for participants from other areas. 9 - 10:00 am Personal Development: We begin the day with workshops targeting self-esteem, anger management, grief and loss and job readiness. Virginia Cooperative Extension Agents through Virginia Tech assist with the presentation of horticultural education workshops including plant propagation, tree identification, floral arranging, soils and fertilizers. 10 am - 12 noon Vocational Training: We work side by side with the garden's horticulture staff in maintaining and beautifying Norfolk Botanical Garden's 155 acres of trees and plants. As a result of this hands-on experience, vocational opportunities in many fields may be available upon graduation. 12 noon - 1 pm Lunch: Students are encouraged to pack a lunch. Lunch is available for purchase at the on-site café during seasonal business hours. 1 - 2:30 pm Educational Component: GED instructors work one-one-one with students to help them realize their potential. * Thursday's are educational / vocational field trip days. However, we maintain our GED preparation classes in the afternoon. * Schedule subject to change. Staff "We provide a calming and nurturing learning environment to effect long lasting positive change." Experienced, highly-skilled professionals. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills. Extensive counseling success. Complete background checks. Contact: Mary K. Scott Horticulture Therapy Program Coordinator Phone - (757) 441-5830 ext: 350 Fax - (757) 441-5828 Email - horttherapy@nbgs.org Seen and Heard ....After studying the Crape Myrtle tree, a student replied "I've been seeing these trees but never really saw them until now." ...."In my neighborhood, there's broken glass, trash, and alcoholics laying around everywhere. When I come here, I feel like I'm in another world and it feels good." .....After a HELP student behaved badly, staff told him he had to go. On the way to the bus stop, he said "Please don't make me go home. My house is all chaos. This is the only place I feel good about myself. I promise I won't be any more trouble." And he wasn't. ......"It's hard to be a thug with a rose in your hand." ......After pruning roses, a HELP student replied. "People always look at me and think I'm doing something wrong. When I look at these roses, I know I've done something right.   Program Funding HELP is partially funded through generous support from the City of Norfolk with funds received from the Virginia Juvenile Community Crime Control Act (VJCCA). VJCCCA enables localities to support programs that are designed to deter crime. Additional support for HELP comes from sponsors and foundations: The Norfolk Foundation, Ford Motor Company, American Funds and an anonymous foundation. How can you HELP? Your donation will be used to provide hot lunches, uniforms and program supplies for HELP students. In addition, your donation will help support counseling services and classroom instruction for the program. Contact: Cathy Fitzgerald, Director of Donor Relations 757-441-5830 ext. 319 cathy.fitzgerald@nbgs.org or Ray Davis, Development & Membership Manager 757-441-5830 ext. 316 membership@nbgs.org
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