Oklahoma Non-Profit Opens 2 Pop-Up Garden Centers

A Green Country non-profit that employs people with disabilities, is opening two pop-up garden centers; this fall is a season of growth for A New Leaf.

A New Leaf said these pop-up shops offer more than a chance to stock up on seasonal plants and fresh, fall veggies. The organization said it's an opportunity for growth by providing a few more jobs to a population often overlooked. Maranda Figueroa with A New Leaf said adults with Intellectual and developmental disabilities have an 83% unemployment rate.

"Once they graduate and age out of the public school system the resources available to them are cut significantly," said Maranda Figueroa, Chief Development Officer.

That's why it's A New Leaf's mission to help as many of them as possible. The two fall-pop-up garden centers are in Owasso at the Battle Creek Church parking lot and the Jenks ReStore parking lot. Figueroa said half the organization's clients don't have a family to go home to. She said it's important they work toward independence.

"They are learning math at the register. They're learning customer service. They're learning social skills," Figueroa said. "It's really important for us to meet each individual exactly where they are."

These fall garden centers are open through November 14th.