Our Staff

Jake Skelly

I am 18 years old and graduated from Stevenson High School in 2015 with Cum Laude honors. I am currently attending Macomb Community College and hope to graduate with an associates degree in Media and Communication Arts. My hobbies include computers, bowling, acting and hanging out with my friends. I have attended Joey Travolta's Short Film Camp for the last 10 years and would like to one day be an actor and use all of the skills I've learned at camp. I consider myself to be a creative person and I like to make people laugh. I am also on the Board of Directors for Growing Green Gardens.

Erica Berger

I am 18 years old and graduated from Stevenson High School in 2015. I am currently attending Macomb Community College and hope to one day receive an associates degree in Media and Communication Arts. I am a creative, energetic woman who is full of life with a strong fearless spirit. I am very passionate about animals and art. My dream job would be to work as a whale and dolphin rehabilitator. I would also wish to work as a falconer. I spend many hours volunteering at the Burgess-Shadbush Nature Center. A natural leader and a friend to all living things. I am known to make life a little more interesting.

Ryan Kohlman

I am 18 years old and graduated from Stevenson High School in 2015. I am currently attending Macomb Community College and would like to continue working towards a career as a history teacher. I have a strong faith in Christianity and hope to one day teach Bible classes at my church. Not only do I enjoy studying and reading about history, but I also enjoy the study of people and sociology. I like to spend time with my family and friends, reading and acting in plays.

Wendy Skelly

Founder, CEO

My dream for Growing Green Gardens started a few years ago when I began to notice how many young adults on the spectrum were unsuccessful at finding work after high school. My son, Jake, had some struggles of his own since graduating in 2015. It was at that time I realized these young adults needed something, but I wasn't exactly sure what that something was. All I knew was that I had to find a way to help them become more successful socially in order for them to be able to reach their goals and dreams. I decided to take my two favorite interests and put them together. Gardening and working with our young adults on the spectrum. They both have a very special way of giving back to you everything that you give them and so much more. In September of 2015, I began to make my dream a reality. Everyday has been a learning experience for all of us, but the greatest lesson learned for me has been that if you follow your heart and put your faith in God, all things are possible. Growing Green Gardens is proof of that. Together as a team, I know we are going to reach so many people and change so many lives.

I would like to thank you for visiting our website and taking the time to learn more about our very special mission here at Growing Green Gardens.

Sincerely,

Wendy Skelly