Meet the Friends of Smile Farms

Sharing a Letter from our Founder & Chairman

Please Click Here to Manage Your Preferences or Unsubscribe Ten years ago, my family and I started Smile Farms with a simple idea: to help people with disabilities gain meaningful employment through hands-on work in agriculture. It was inspired by my brother Kevin, who was born with a cognitive disability and, like so many others, faced obstacles finding a job despite being ready and able to work. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, only about 22% of working-age individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities are employed compared with 65% of the general population. We wanted to change that. Since 2015, Smile Farms has grown in ways we never could have imagined. What began as a single location on Long Island has expanded into more than a dozen campuses across the New York metro area. Smile Farmers now grow fresh vegetables for local restaurants and cultivate peppers for their very own "Heat with Heart" hot sauce. Along the way, hundreds of individuals have gained hands-on experience in agriculture and, more recently, hospitality. But the impact goes far beyond jobs. Smile Farms has become a place where lasting friendships take root. Through shared responsibilities and achievements, the farmers and team members are building connections that enrich every part of life. It's a reminder to everyone that work is more than just a paycheck. It's about purpose, pride, and belonging. The friends of Smile Farms As we celebrate Friendship Month, I wanted to spotlight a few of the friendships that have formed at Smile Farms over the years. I asked Isabel Londono, our wonderful program coordinator, to share a few stories that show how these connections are woven into work. One of the first stories she mentioned involved the "Smile Sellers": Ray, Kenny, Kevin, and Michael of Family Residences and Essential Enterprises (FREE). These four have been friends for more than nine years, growing together through every season. "They're like brothers," Isabel says. "They tease each other, they help each other out, and they have this deep sense of responsibility toward one another." As Smile Sellers, they serve as ambassadors, representing Smile Farms at farmers markets and community events. But their connection runs deeper than their shared role. Whether they're setting up a table, greeting customers, or cracking jokes between sales, they bring professionalism and heart to everything they do. "They don't just work together," Isabel adds. "They even spend their paychecks together!" Growing flowers and a relationship The next story is especially close to my heart — it's about my brother Kevin. Kevin and Michele have shared a remarkable friendship while working as Growers at the Independent Group Home Living (IGHL) Smile Farms campus in Center Moriches, New York. Over time, their bond blossomed into something even more special: a romantic relationship built on kindness, teamwork, and mutual respect. "They've been side by side for decades," Isabel says. "You can see the connection they have. It's rooted in friendship, and it's grown into something truly beautiful." At work, Kevin and Michele collaborate with their fellow greenhouse team members to cultivate flowers and plants. If you watch closely, their support for each other shines through in the way they communicate, the way they work together, and the pride they take in their work. "Their story is a reminder that when people feel valued and connected, anything can bloom," Isabel says. Friends cook up a career Bernardo and Chadler, students at Nassau BOCES' Center for Community Adjustment, are gaining real-world culinary experience through their internship at Small Batch in Garden City, New York. From prepping ingredients to cleaning up after service, they approach each task as a team. "They support each other every step of the way," Isabel says about this dynamic duo. "Their friendship makes every challenge easier and every success more meaningful." In addition to culinary skills, they're building confidence and responsibility, which are all tools that will serve them in any future role. And just as important, they're learning that work is more fulfilling when shared with someone who's cheering you on. A friendship rooted in growth At Constructive Partnership Unlimited's Smile Farms campus in Staten Island, New York, James and Kevin cultivate vegetables while nurturing confidence and teamwork. Kevin, who serves as farm manager, brings deep knowledge and leadership to the role. With a master's degree in biology, he oversees crop health and helps keep pests away from the peppers used in our Heat with Heart hot sauce. Together with James, the two have created a space where others feel empowered to get their hands dirty and try something new. They demonstrate tasks and bring positive energy to the greenhouse every day. "James and Kevin set the tone," Isabel says. "They lead with kindness, and others naturally follow their example." Inspiration for everyone These stories from across Smile Farms illustrate something we often forget: Work isn't just about what we produce, but also how we grow. The routines, the teamwork, and the shared accomplishments create a community of connection and belonging. For people with developmental disabilities, the opportunity to work can be life changing. But truth be told, the benefits we see at Smile Farms aren't unique to just one workplace. All of us need purpose. We all thrive on being part of something bigger than ourselves. And we all grow through the friendships that form when we show up, contribute, and care. That's the deeper mission of Smile Farms. Yes, we're helping people learn skills and find meaningful employment. But, we're also proving something more profound: When you build workplaces around inclusion, dignity, and connection, everyone flourishes. All the best, Jim They said her son would never live on his own… now he thrives in the community she built. In this week's episode of Celebrate Your Story, I speak with Denise Resnik, trailblazing founder of the Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center and First Place AZ . From her son's autism diagnosis at age 2 to reshaping real estate with purpose, Denise's story is one of innovation, advocacy, and unshakable love. She shares how she went from launching a real estate marketing firm to transforming blighted buildings into vibrant mixed-use housing communities that integrate people with autism, seniors, and the broader public. We discuss the heartbreak of being told to institutionalize her son, the grit it took to build new systems from scratch, and the vision behind a new marketplace for housing and community that includes everyone. Now leading a national movement through First Place's Global Leadership Institute and the Vote the Spectrum initiative, Denise is proving that when we plan for inclusion, we build something better for all of us. The legacy of the ADA This month marks the 35th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a landmark piece of legislation signed into law by President George H.W. Bush in July 1990. The ADA transformed American life by expanding access, rights, and opportunity for millions of people with disabilities. Its impact has been far-reaching — improving access to transportation, education, employment, and public spaces — and helping ensure that over 61 million Americans with disabilities are not excluded from the systems that support full participation in society. Still, major challenges remain. As I mentioned above, less than a quarter of working-age individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities are employed versus 65% of those without a disability. The work of inclusion is ongoing, and the promise of the ADA is one we must continue to fulfill. Celebrating Amazing Grandparents Take it from this proud grandpa: There's nothing quite like the bond between grandparents and their grandchildren. It's a connection built on love, wisdom, and a lifetime of stories — and it only grows deeper with time. As we get ready to celebrate Grandparents Day in September, I'd love to hear from you. What made your grandparents so unforgettable? Or if you're a grandparent yourself, what rituals or lessons do you hope to pass down? Maybe it's a favorite memory from childhood, a Sunday tradition, or a bit of advice that's stayed with you for years. Whatever it is, I hope you'll share it. I'll be including some of your reflections in an upcoming Celebrations Pulse that'll be a tribute to the power of family and the Amazing Grandparents who've shaped our lives in lasting ways. Here's to friendship — and the stories that connect us At 1-800-Flowers.com, we're celebrating Friendship Month, 31 days of honoring the bonds that carry us through every high and low, from childhood companions to new connections that feel like they've been with us forever. And we want to hear from you. How do you keep your friendships going strong through distance, busy seasons, or life's many changes? What little traditions or meaningful moments help you stay close? Your story might be just the nudge someone else needs to reconnect. Need inspiration? Be sure to check out our countdown to International Friendship Day on July 30. You'll find Friendship Friday spotlights, greeting card inspiration, and a few fun surprises from some of the Amazing Friends in our community. Friendship is one of life's greatest joys, and your stories help us celebrate it even better. Related articles that caught my eye Written by our Founder and Chairman, our Celebrations Pulse Letters aim to engage with our community. From sharing stories to welcoming your ideas, we want to help you to express, connect, and celebrate the important people in your life. View as webpage This email was sent by: 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc. Two Jericho Plaza Suite 200 Jericho, NY, 11753, USA Manage Email Preferences | Terms & Conditions | Unsubscribe from Pulse Newsletter