Guardians of the Garden

Home
United States
Wilkes-Barre, PA
Guardians of the Garden

Guardians of the Garden—a Leadership Northeast Core Class of 2025 team—are building an outdoor garden space for Step by Step Inc.

to help those who are experiencing intellectual disabilities and limited mobility, learn how to garden & enjoy the outdoors.

04/29/2025

Don't miss the Guardians of the Garden on PA Live! today at 3pm with Rachel Malak Chris Bohinski PA Live 🎬 We'll be sharing more about our project and explaining what you can do to be a part of it!

04/24/2025

Meet the Guardians of the Garden: Kal 💫

💬 "I hope this garden will give Step by Step’s participants a chance to improve their skills, increase their emotional/mental wellbeing, and look forward to their stays at the facility. I like to think this lovely addition to the building will stand out from other Step by Step facilities across the country. I love that something so simple like an outdoor space can have such an impact on this group of consumers. If you can, I urge you to get involved in your community too.”

Kal Ali is a Senior Sanitation Specialist with The Hershey Company and a member of the Leadership Northeast Core Class of 2025.

04/22/2025

Meet the Guardians of the Garden: Kelsey 💫

💬 “I know firsthand the profound mental and physical benefits of being outside—the warmth of the sun, the feeling of a gentle breeze, the intricate beauty of nature’s small ecosystems. These experiences help me slow down, find independence, reduce stress, and connect with something greater than myself. My hope is that the garden we build will create a lasting impact for the Step by Step community, providing a safe, inclusive, and welcoming space where individuals can experience the restorative power of nature. I hope this space fosters a deeper appreciation for the outdoors and encourages personal growth and independence.”

Kelsey is a small business owner with a passion for design, community, and the outdoors. For the past eight years, she has successfully run a remote graphic and web design business. More recently, she has ventured into a brick-and-mortar endeavor, opening a rock climbing gym to further foster community and movement. An avid outdoor enthusiast, Kelsey finds joy in hiking, rock climbing, backpacking, trail running, and cycling—if she can opt outside, she will.

04/17/2025

Meet the Guardians of the Garden: Ellie 💫

💬 “I love our garden project because it will help spread more awareness for Step by Step and their mission. It will also make a long lasting impact on those who they serve. It will help change lives for the better and many years to come. If I could say one word to describe it, I would say ‘meaningful’. We all should do our part to make sure everyone has their chance to fly today.”

Ellie Bartoli is the Chief Ambassador and Advocate for PA Inclusive, an organization that helps adults with developmental disabilities. She is a baker and coffee attendant as well. She is in the Leadership Northeast Core Class of 2025 with hopes to have a platform outside of PA Inclusive to grow and learn as an advocate and spokesperson for adults with developmental disabilities.

04/15/2025

Meet the Guardians of the Garden: Tori 💫

💬 "This project is so important for the lives of the individuals at Step by Step. It's not just about growing produce and flowers; it's about growing dignity, connection, and the sense that everyone belongs. By making sure the garden is physically accessible, you're literally removing barriers — so people of all abilities can dig in, contribute, and feel part of something living and shared!"

Tori Reinard is a Regional Operations Manager for The Surgical Suite and Geisinger Health System. She is a graduate of Penn State University, '18, and Scranton University, '22. Outside of work, Tori likes to read, relax with her goldendoodle Roxi (just kidding, there is no relaxing with her), and spend quality time with family and friends.

04/10/2025

Meet the Guardians of the Garden: Kristen 💫

💬 “I hope this garden impacts its participants by providing a space where they can engage with nature in a meaningful and empowering way. The garden will promote their physical and mental well-being by offering therapeutic benefits such as stress relief, sensory stimulation, and improved motor skills. Participants will gain a sense of accomplishment and independence by learning gardening skills and taking pride in their contributions. Ultimately, I hope this garden will foster personal growth, empowerment, and inclusion.”

Kristen is an Operations Manager at MOHELA, where she oversees day-to-day call center operations. Outside of work, she enjoys spending quality time with her husband, Adam, and their dog, Rosie. Together, they love exploring local restaurants, breweries, and attending sporting events. Kristen is a big fan of romantic comedies and has a soft spot for 2000’s alternative music.

04/08/2025

Meet the Guardians of the Garden: Alan 💫

💬 “I love our garden project because it helps further the mission of Step by Step, and it can have both an immediate impact on those that Step by Step serves, as well as a long-term impact. It will help change lives for the better today, and for years to come, by improving their life skills. We’re planting roots – literally – that will help people grow. If I had to describe our project in one word it would be ‘Impactful.’ Others can also do their part to make the community more inclusive. We should all support efforts to make all places more accessible to those with any type of disabilities, including local businesses, parks, and recreational facilities. Everyone should have the opportunity to enjoy their life to the fullest.”

Alan is the Executive Director of Visit Luzerne County. He previously worked as a newspaper columnist, features writer, reporter, and copy editor at The Times Leader; Editor of The Weekender; Newspapers In Education Manager at The Times Leader; Community & Resource Development Coordinator at Big Brothers Big Sisters of The Bridge; and Director of Marketing and Communications with Catholic Social Services of the Diocese of Scranton. He also hosts a weekly radio show on 105 The River.

In his free time, he enjoys hanging out with his family, live music, spending time along the river, pitching baseballs to his son, and watching his beloved Yankees.

04/07/2025

A huge thank you to Sylvia and Kettell's Greenhouse for your amazing in-kind donation of herbs and perennial flowers for the gardens at Step By Step, Inc.! Your donation will keep the gardens looking beautiful for years to come.

04/03/2025

Meet the Guardians of the Garden: Fred 💫

💬 “Spending time with the great people at Step by Step has left me inspired and excited to contribute towards this great organization. I hope that this garden will serve as a space for education and fun for Step by Step’s consumers. I also believe this area will be a testament, for years to come, to the amazing abilities of the individuals that cultivate the garden. I’m honored to be a part of this wonderful team!”

Fred J. Lokuta is an associate attorney with Myers, Brier & Kelly, LLP in Scranton. Fred concentrates his legal practice in civil litigation, mainly in the field of healthcare defense. He also writes about Dupont Borough as a community columnist for the Greater Pittston Progress. Fred lives in Dupont with his wife, Nicole and daughter, Gemma.

04/01/2025

Meet the Guardians of the Garden: Nicole 💫

💬 “I’m passionate about this project because it’s an opportunity to make a real, lasting impact on the consumers at Step by Step by helping them overcome challenges and improve their quality of life. Knowing that our work will create a space for relaxation, engagement, and personal growth makes it incredibly meaningful. It’s great to be a part of something that will continue to inspire and support them for years to come.”

Nicole is an RFP Specialist at Benco Dental. In this role, she manages the ex*****on of contract pricing for Strategic Market customers, Community Health Centers, and Government accounts. She works closely with internal cross-functional teams and external vendors to gather necessary information, develop compelling proposals, and ensure accuracy and completeness throughout the process.

In her free time, she loves spending time outdoors—whether it’s biking, golfing, fishing, or taking her two dogs, Layla and Zoey, on walks.

03/28/2025

Alan from the Guardians of the Garden team picked up a nice donation on Thursday from Home Depot. Things are really starting to come together. We plan to break ground on April 5. Thank you, Home Depot!

Address

Wilkes-Barre, PA
18701

Website

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1I0ZJ2XEQHXCE?ref_=wl_share

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Guardians of the Garden posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Want your organization to be the top-listed Non Profit Organization in Wilkes-Barre?