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Over the winter we've had a lot of exciting things happening at S.T.E.P. by S.T.E.P., Inc. The tiny homes have been placed at our farm property located in the country and construction has begun at our second apartment building at 1515 Knox Street in Ogdensburg.

This winter our Executive Director, Dave Bayne, connected with Kearney Coupland, a professor at St. Lawrence University. They were able to collaborate on an exciting project with Environmental Psych and Design students at St. Lawrence University. The students created landscape designs for Knox Street as well as the SBS Farm.

The students generated ideas for designs that would not only be aesthetically pleasing, but also provide gathering spaces for the tenants and community members. They focused on themes such as horticulture therapy, artistic expression, and privacy. They had many ideas like gardens, amphitheaters, cooking areas, libraries, fire pits, fences, and natural barriers.

In today's episode, Dave and Carrie first chat with Kearney about her background, how they connected, and the importance of immersing the students in the community with real-life projects; followed by the students' presentations describing their interesting and exciting designs. The students put a lot of thought and research into their projects, and we are very grateful for all their ideas!

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In this episode Carrie and Dave meet with Gayle Morrissey, who is the Education Coordinator for the adult mental health unit at Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center. Gayle's job focuses on topics such as educating people about their diagnosis, self-regulation, self-care, coping skills, and becoming more self-aware. Gayle's job changes from person to person and day to day as she provides person-centered, individualized care as she helps provide people with tools to be successful in their lives. In today's episode Gayle explores one of the recent topics that she has been people learn more about - how nutrition can help improve your mental health. Gayle discusses foods that can help, foods to stay away from, tips to stay on track, and moderation.

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We are excited to finally announce our collaboration with the three BOCES locations in St. Lawrence County. Together we are constructing tiny homes built by the students at BOCES that will be transported to S.T.E.P. by S.T.E.P., Inc.'s garden and greenhouse property, which will begin the development of our social farming community. Each house is a duplex and will provide homes for six separate individuals that are in need of housing in our county, with more on the way next year.

This collaboration has been in progress for the last year, and as the houses finally near completion Dave and Carrie sit down with Nicki O'Donnell, the principal at BOCES Seaway Career and Technical Center located in Norwood, New York. Join us as we discuss how the project originated, the social farming model, the obstacles to get it up and running, the benefits that are provided to both S.T.E.P. by S.T.E.P., Inc. and the BOCES programs, and some of the incredible experiences along the way.

Join Dave and Carrie as they visit with Nicki at BOCES to discuss the project.

Visit our website to check out photos!

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