LIMA, Ohio (WLIO) — A local organization dedicated to supporting individuals with autism is expanding its space to better serve participants and the community.
Bittersweet Farms celebrated the addition of a new pavilion at its Betty’s Farm location in Lima. The farm-based program provides services for adolescents and adults with autism, focusing on skill-building and meaningful daily activities.
The new pavilion will offer additional space for outdoor programming, group activities and community events. Staff members say the addition will enhance the overall experience for participants while also creating more opportunities for engagement.
Program leaders credit families for helping bring the project to life, noting that the idea was driven by parents of those involved in the program. Once proposed, the pavilion was completed in about a year.
“This program is parent-driven, and parents are very loyal to this program,” said Jerry Hunt, program manager at Bittersweet at Betty’s Farm. “They support this program like none I’ve seen. They recognized the need, and that’s how many of the programs and improvements out here have come to be.”
In addition to regular participants, the pavilion will also be used by visiting groups, including Marimor School, Benchmark Human Services and RMS of Ohio, which utilize the farm for gardening and other activities.
