Good Shepherd Foundation Awards Blossom Hill $160,000 Grant to Build Greenhouse and Activity Center on North Royalton Property
June 1, 2021 – Blossom Hill, Inc. received $160,000 from Good Shepherd Foundation of Ohio (GSFO) to complete the second phase of updates to its backyard property in North Royalton. The grant is the largest in the foundation’s history and will be used to create an outdoor garden as well as a greenhouse and activity center to expand safe exercise and recreation options for the 36 individuals and staff members who reside at the property and Blossom Hill’s other residential facilities in Westlake and Parma.
“We are so thankful to everyone at Good Shepherd Foundation for helping make our dream a reality,” said Lisa Kristosik, CEO of Blossom Hill. “Utilizing this space in a strategic way is good for everyone involved – the individuals, the staff and our community.”
“The goal of the Good Shepherd Foundation of Ohio is to provide grants to organizations devoted to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Primarily our Foundation strives to provide funding that allows these individuals to explore new opportunities and experiences, learn new skills, and most importantly, have fun! It appears that Blossom Hill’s new greenhouse and activity center will achieve those goals for not only their residents but also for others throughout the community. The Foundation Board is excited to be a part of this new project,” remarked Robert Grundey, Board President of GSFO.
The goal of this project is to build a haven where individuals learn new skills, achieve their goals, and grow in community together. The Blossom Hill Greenhouse will be a place where the individuals are engaged in person-centered activities such as growing food, developing work and management skills and share responsibilities for the maintenance and upkeep of the greenhouse and gardens.
A paved and accessible walking pathway was completed in November, 2020, the first phase of the project. Individuals and staff now safely enjoy the outdoors in an environment that promotes relaxation and recreation. The walking path has had an immediate and significant impact on the wellness of the individuals residing in the North Royalton home.
About Blossom Hill, Inc.
Founded in 1968, Blossom Hill is a nonprofit organization that that owns and operates family-style group homes for adults with profound intellectual and physical disabilities living in the Greater Cleveland Area. Our homes provide a loving environment and personalized 24-hour care for our individuals, short-term respite care for families that need temporary care for their love ones, and supported living care options. For more information, visit our website at blossom-hill.org.