Tucked away in a quiet corner of Aspire of WNY’s Jamestown Day Hab, something magical is blooming. The soft glow of hydroponic lights, the sound of shared laughter, and the scent of fresh basil fill the air, coming together to create a tranquil oasis where confidence and independence are nurtured.
Thanks to an Innovations Grant from the New York State Association of Day Service Providers, Aspire of WNY’s Beautiful Blooms Garden Program has flourished into something even greater. The grant allowed the team at Mall Boulevard to install an indoor hydroponic garden that now grows an impressive variety of produce, including lettuce, basil, lemon basil, arugula, chives, thyme, and sweet peppers.
At the heart of the program is Sarah Sorci, a community herbalist who sees the importance of personal choice. Every step, from the first scoop of soil to the final harvest, is shaped by the individuals that participate in the program. They choose what they want to grow, how they want to care for it, and what they’ll do with the harvest. In a world that too often overlooks their voices, here, every decision is theirs to make.
“In the garden, every choice belongs to the individuals. We’re just here to support their journey. Watching someone light up as the plant they chose starts to come to life is a beautiful thing to witness,” explains Sarah.
With time, the garden has become a gentle, grounding space where confidence takes root. It nurtures not only plants, but also fine motor skills, communication, emotional regulation, and the deep sense of pride that comes from tending to something meaningful.
Take Jeff, for example. On a recent afternoon, a handful of garden-picked basil became the star of the show in a homemade pesto. Focused and engaged, he added garlic and pulsed the blender. You could see it in his eyes, a sense of calm that settled over him as he worked.
“Something unlocks with him in the kitchen, almost like finding his voice through food prep. It’s a beautiful thing! I’ve never seen him smile so much,” shared Kelly Blake, Intake and Outreach Specialist at Aspire of WNY, who was there with Jeff during the activity.
These are the moments that show us that Beautiful Blooms is so much more than a garden, but a sanctuary where people grow alongside the plants that they’ve chosen to nurture. As the seasons shift and spring tiptoes in, hands will return to raised beds to cut perennials and stir compost into the soil. New seeds will be planted, and the hydroponic garden will welcome its next round of leafy greens. From soil to seed, to harvest to homemade pesto, the garden is a place for growth. Not just for plants, but people too.