Samara Learning Center is pleased to announce it has received a $1,600 grant from The Environmental Center through the Garden For Every School program. This funding will support the revitalization of the student sensory garden located at the Samara Learning Center campus at 230 NE 9th Street.
The Garden For Every School program is designed to connect Central Oregon children with nature, nutrition, and hands-on science education. Samara Learning Center was selected for this award to further these goals by creating a dedicated outdoor classroom space.
Here, neurodivergent students will be able to engage with biology lessons firsthand while benefiting from therapeutic sensory input. “We are thrilled to receive this support from The Environmental Center,” said Heather Chatem, Executive Director at Samara Learning Center. “This grant allows us to purchase rot-resistant materials and disease-free soil to construct structurally sound raised garden beds. It’s more than just gardening; it’s about giving our students a therapeutic and educational space to grow.”
Since 2016, The Environmental Center has awarded grants to schools and youth organizations across Central Oregon to build and sustain successful school gardens. The program operates on the belief that garden-based education provides immense benefits for youth, communities, and the environment.
“Building and sustaining successful school gardens requires cash and lots of sweat equity,” notes The Environmental Center’s program literature. The funds provided to Samara Learning Center will go directly toward the materials and resources necessary to ensure the Therapeutic Garden can thrive in the high desert climate.
About Samara Learning Center: Samara Learning Center is the only Oregon state-approved Alternative School in Central Oregon that specializes in working with students who are neurodivergent, including those with ADHD, Autism, Dyslexia, Dyscalculia, Non-Verbal Learning Disabilities, and Anxiety. Our motto is “Soar with your Strengths.”
About The Environmental Center: The Environmental Center’s mission is to embed sustainability into daily life in Central Oregon. They translate sustainability into practical, local action to create a healthy future for people and the planet. Their Garden For Every School program awards annual grants to support school gardens and outdoor classrooms throughout the region.
This story is based on submitted information and has not been verified by our news team.
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