GDABVI News Release

GROSSE POINTE NEWS

Gardeners take a green approach
Down to Earth

Helping to keep our community green are Greater Detroit Agency for the Blind & Visually Impaired chair Fred Simpson, its president and CEO, Gail McEntee, Jeff Klein of Classic Landscape, the Greening of Detroit project coordinator Ashley Atkinson and its president Rebecca Salminen Witt. Photo by Kathleen Peabody

Yet another group located on the far side of town is also making their corner of Detroit a little greener.

After more than a year in the making, the Greater Detroit Agency for the Blind and Visually Impaired and The Greening of Detroit unveiled a unique new garden that piques the senses of smell, taste and touch.

"This is an excellent example of how nonprofits can collaborate in innovative ways," said Grosse Pointe Woods resident Gail McEntee, who is president and CEO of the group.

Made possible with the support of the Carls Foundation, the garden is used to teach blind and visually impaired children to develop sensory skills they can use in their daily lives. It is one of many ways the group provides services and programming to increase the self-reliance of those who are blind and visually impaired.

McEntee, a gardening enthusiast herself, has led the group for five years. She believes the garden benefits more than just her clients because it also beautifies the surrounding community on Detroit's west side.

"Our organization, in partnership with The Greening of Detroit, want to make our region a better place for everyone, be they sighted or visually impaired," she said.

If you have a green project going on within your organization, feel good about helping the community and your world.