Patchwork Pastures a NJ Nonprofit Corporation

Under the Green Care concept, we create the connection between the mentor (Recovery Support Specialist), the PATCH (a farm, green care company, green house, or nature based company), and the Participant (individual in recovery). Green Care services complement the supply of public welfare services, while increasing the possibilities of success for individuals served. Our programs utilize humane education within the following areas; agriculture, horticulture, arboriculture, general construction, animal care and other nature based areas. By encompassing these specific service areas and changing the role of the individual from service receiver to service assistant they build a sense of responsibility, self-efficacy, empathy and compassion as well as establish personal boundaries and most importantly teamwork and leadership skills.

Green Care is a well-established international concept that uses animals, plants and nature in an interactive process to offer health-promoting activities for people. With this concept in mind our programs are designed to support transitioning young adults ages 18-28 re-integrating into society with mental health challenges, substance use challenges or from incarceration, those most often left behind. By partnering with local social service agencies, probation, jails along with local farms, green houses, animal rescues and other green care industry professionals we will be able to provide a continuum of care for at risk young adults along with life skills and a sense of hope for their future.

Patchwork Pastures board of directors is comprised of individuals in recovery, parents of individuals in recovery, local Patches (farms or green companies) and general community members. Our volunteers, most of whom are in recovery, are open and willing to share their journeys with new participants providing mentor-ship and peer recovery support systems. We will provide continuing education to participants through various community providers to enhance life skills. Our founder and CEO is the parent of three children with significant mental health challenges, including two in long term recovery from heroin addiction, all long term survivors of domestic violence. She has first hand lived experience with system providers form both mental health and addictions, juvenile justice and adult justice systems, and has identified a significant gap in services for our transitioning young adults. In a personal statement Ms. Helt reflected on her own journey stating "Our young adults in recovery who have served time in county jail or state prisons who are then sentenced to community service have little or no options. My own children have been placed at community service locations where adults were actively drinking or partying or where the community service was punitive in nature. Bringing back the concept of "working farms" where we can teach life skills, allow participants the opportunity to be mentored and to have faith in their own recovery is where we need to start."

We are a newly established organization preparing for an official launch in August of 2019.