Laura Perez, executive director of the Lebanon, N.H.-based Special Needs Support Center, works in the garden during a team-building activity at Visions for Creative Housing Solutions in Enfield, N.H. Visions is seeking volunteers to help maintain the garden at Sunrise Farm, a property that provides supportive housing to disabled adults. Courtesy photo
Laura Perez, executive director of the Lebanon, N.H.-based Special Needs Support Center, works in the garden during a team-building activity at Visions for Creative Housing Solutions in Enfield, N.H. Visions is seeking volunteers to help maintain the garden at Sunrise Farm, a property that provides supportive housing to disabled adults. Courtesy photo Credit: Courtesy Photo

ENFIELD — At one time, Sunrise Farm was an inn, a destination where people could sit on 80 acres, enjoy beautiful gardens and get away from it all. Today, the property is still a refuge, this time for disabled adults who live on the property with varying levels of independence.

The farm is part of Visions for Creative Housing Solutions, which aims to provide supportive housing while offering independence to disabled adults. The farm has three bedrooms in the main house, two bedrooms in an attached apartment and four efficiency apartments.

“The Visions model promotes independence, while ensuring that each resident receives the support they need to live, work and volunteer in the community themselves,” said Deborah Mashibini-Prior, development assistant at the nonprofit.

One of the striking features of Sunrise Farm it is gardens, both floral and vegetable. Visions for Creative Housing Solutions is looking for volunteers who can help maintain the gardens on an ongoing or one-time basis.

“The gardens at Visions … play an important role in maintaining the beauty of the surroundings and history of the property,” Mashibini-Prior said. “The vegetable gardens provide fresh vegetables and serve as inspiration as residents, volunteers and support staff prepare share evening and holiday meals.”

Despite their importance, maintaining the gardens sometimes can fall by the wayside amid more pressing admin concerns.

“With the busy schedules of everyone involved at Visions, Visions needs volunteer help to make the most of the potential of these gardens,” Mashibini-Prior said.

Volunteers get to share their passion for gardening while also becoming involved with Visions’ missions to support disabled adults.

“Volunteers have the opportunity to share in the beauty of the natural environment and, like everyone involved with Visions, to enjoy the camaraderie of the family-like environment,” Mashibini-Prior said.

The gardening volunteer role is laid-back and flexible, and it can accommodate virtually any schedule, she said.

For more information on becoming a garden volunteer or doing other volunteer work with Visions, contact Mashibini-Prior or Sylvia Dow, executive director, at 603-632-7707.