365 Squarey Monsters: What Happens When You Give Everyone a Chance?

Please Click Here to Manage Your Preferences or Unsubscribe

Work is one of the great connectors in life. It gives us a reason to get out of bed, a team to belong to, and a story to tell at the end of the day. Of course, a paycheck matters, but the real magic of work is the sense of purpose it brings and with whom we do it.

Yet, for millions of Americans who live with a disability, finding employment is a challenge. They struggle due to a lack of training, employer biases, and a world that too often overlooks their potential. Instead of being invited in, they're left behind the door of opportunity that they've been knocking on for years.

When that happens, we all lose out, because we miss the chance to welcome talented, dedicated people who want nothing more than to contribute and belong.

That's why both awareness — and action — matter. October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month, a time to spotlight the barriers people with disabilities face in the workforce. It's also a moment to ask ourselves: Are we doing enough to create opportunities?

Lessons from my brother

I know of these challenges from personal experience. My brother Kevin, who was born with a developmental disability, has been one of my greatest teachers. Growing up with him, I saw not only his challenges but also his kindness and his capacity for love.

My parents weren't wealthy, but they did everything they could to support Kevin. They even rented out small spaces and invited other families with children who had disabilities, creating a judgment-free environment where kids could connect and parents could share their experiences.

One question always dominated the parents' conversations: What's going to happen when the children grow up? At the time, legal protections like the Americans with Disabilities Act were still decades away, and the path ahead felt uncertain.

As Kevin entered adulthood, it was clear he had the personality to thrive in a workplace and the desire to contribute. What he lacked were the chances to prove what he could do.

Employment opportunities for people with disabilities have improved in recent years, but the gap compared with the rest of the workforce remains wide. Among people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, only about 17% have a paid job . Among those who don't, nearly half want one. And when people do find work, it's typically fewer than 15 hours a week.

The roots of Smile Farms

Those numbers are what inspired us to create Smile Farms, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. Founded by my family, it's a nonprofit dedicated to helping people with disabilities build skills, grow fresh produce, and find meaningful work.

The spark came from a phone call back in 2015. Walter Stockton of Independent Group Home Living (IGHL), where my brother Kevin lives, reached out with an idea. During that conversation, we began to imagine a program focused on developing real-world skills for people with developmental differences.

That conversation led to the creation of Smile Farms on a commercial parcel in Moriches, New York, that had been purchased specifically to build greenhouses and launch the program. Today, it's the program's flagship campus, where over 80 Smile Farmers grow annuals, perennials, and herbs in 19 greenhouses. Plants are sold in an on-site retail store and wholesale to local businesses.

Since then, Smile Farms has expanded to 14 campuses and grown well beyond agriculture. It's ventured into hospitality, thanks to a partnership with Chef Tom Colicchio's Crafted Hospitality. Smile Farms' leaders have also launched initiatives like "Smile Shippers," where employees fulfill product orders, and Heat with Heart, a hot sauce whose sales help fund the program. It's also partnered with hospitals and nonprofits.

If you find yourself on Long Island between now and Oct. 15, I hope you'll stop by RUMBA in Patchogue for something truly special. They're serving a Smile Farms Spaghetti Squash entrée, which was created in partnership with our friend David Hersh and his team at Rooted Hospitality Group. The squash comes straight from our Smile Farms campus in Center Moriches, where our farmers grow it with pride through IGHL's East End Day Habilitation program.

A widening circle of caring

What's surprised me the most over the last decade is the widening circle of caring that surrounds Smile Farms and the farmers.

Volunteers, including many from 1-800-Flowers.com, show up in force for every golf outing, Growing Together Gala, farm stand, and other events. Restaurants discover not just the produce, but the talents of Smile Farmers. And donors return year after year to sustain the growing number of programs.

Along the way, relationships blossom. I recently caught up with Tom Hughes, a longtime supporter of Smile Farms. We started by talking about events and partnerships, but soon were swapping stories about how cruise ships have become surprisingly accessible to people in wheelchairs.

That's the ripple effect of awareness: Once you see what's possible in one place, you begin to look for it — and advocate for it — everywhere.

What you can do

I share the story of Smile Farms as proof of what's possible when each of us leans in. The challenge of finding meaningful employment among people with disabilities won't be solved by one program or one policy but by many small actions that add up to big changes.

Employers can start by carving out roles that meet real needs, from inventory and order prep to hospitality and office support. With clear expectations and a supportive job coach, employees can thrive and show just how much they bring to the table. Coworkers and neighbors can take that further by welcoming everyone.

The ripple effect is powerful. Businesses grow stronger, employees gain pride and purpose, and communities become more connected. Every barrier lowered and success celebrated moves us closer to a future where everyone has a chance to contribute.

All the best,

Jim

What happens when a philosopher turns his attention to artificial intelligence, business, and the future of society? In this episode of Power & Impact, I sit down with Reid Blackman, Ph.D., for a conversation about technology, ethics, and how rapid change is reshaping everything from corporate strategy to family life.

Blackman began his career in academia, exploring big questions about meaning and responsibility. As the digital world evolved, he shifted into consulting, helping Fortune 500 companies navigate the ethical challenges of emerging technologies.

He reminds us that while AI and social technology bring incredible potential, they also raise tough questions: Who benefits? Who gets left behind? And what values are we embedding into the tools we rely on?

Whether you're a parent struggling with screen time at the dinner table or a business leader preparing your team for disruption, this conversation offers insight. Blackman helps us think more clearly — and more humanely — about the future we're all building together.

As always, I'd love to hear what you think. Drop me a note at podcasts@celebrations.com.

A family's fall ritual in the forest

Each week this fall, I'm sharing stories from you, Celebrations Pulse readers, about the rituals and traditions that make this season special. Whether simple or elaborate, these seasonal moments help us stay connected and carry meaning from one year to the next.

I'll start with a letter I received from Leisl. For her and her family, fall begins not with the turning of leaves, but with the return of the rain.

"Out here in the Pacific Northwest, fall rain brings relief from dry and sometimes smoky summer weather. It's like you can hear the forests and plants breathing a collective sigh of relief. Fall rains bring the arrival of delicious and beautiful chanterelle mushrooms.

"My husband and two sons, now teenagers, have a ritual of collecting them in the coastal mountains, something we've done since they were very young. It has always felt like a treasure hunt, and we enjoy the benefits and privilege of being outdoors and exploring nature together. If we have any luck, we take our bounty home and sauté them up with butter and garlic or cook them with our eggs the following morning.

"While I agree that fall can feel melancholic, this ritual definitely offers joy and delight for our family."

I love how Leisl's story captures the essence of fall, including the rhythm of the seasons, the bond of family traditions, and the simple pleasures of being together. Whether it's foraging for mushrooms, cheering on a football team, or baking a favorite pie, these familiar rituals remind us that joy often lives in the ordinary moments we return to, year after year.

Sweetest Day: A little holiday with a big heart

Not every holiday makes the headlines. But some, like Sweetest Day, deserve more attention than they get.

Celebrated this year on Saturday, Oct. 18, Sweetest Day began in the Midwest nearly a century ago when a group of candy makers in Cleveland decided to deliver boxes of treats to orphans, hospital patients, and others in need of a little cheer.

Today, Sweetest Day is still going strong in parts of the Midwest and Great Lakes region, where it's cherished as a time to celebrate love and friendship. It reminds us that little gestures can make a big difference.

I've always thought we could use more of that spirit across the country. What if we all took a day to say "thank you" to the people who make life better? What if Sweetest Day became a national tradition rooted in kindness?

To our readers in the Midwest, I'd especially love to hear from you. What makes Sweetest Day meaningful to you? What are your favorite traditions, memories, or ways you've seen kindness celebrated?

Please share your stories. I'll be featuring a few in next week's Celebrations Pulse, and those folks will receive a special Sweetest Day gift from our family of brands.

Witch ways do you celebrate Halloween?

From carving jack-o'-lanterns to hanging cobwebs and baking pumpkin treats, Halloween has a way of bringing out our playful side. Some of us go all in on costumes — whether spooky, silly, or spectacular. Others find joy in quiet traditions like lighting a candle in a carved pumpkin or watching a favorite scary movie with loved ones.

Whatever your Halloween looks like, one thing is certain: It's a holiday full of imagination, laughter, and connection. These little rituals help us mark the season and make memories that last.

I'd love to hear about how you and your family celebrate Halloween. Do you have a favorite tradition, memory, or treat? Please share it with me (or just send me the treats...), and I'll feature a few in our special Halloween edition of Celebrations Pulse.

Sunday, October 5, 2025

What Happens When You Give Everyone a Chance?

No comments:

Post a Comment