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Testimonials

Families and Community Partners

Welcome to our Testimonials page! Below, you’ll find heartfelt letters of recommendation from both our community partners and ROOTS families. We deeply value the feedback and support from everyone in our community, as each story, experience, and word of encouragement helps us to continue growing and serving with purpose.

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For more reviews and ongoing stories from our ROOTS community, be sure to visit our social media pages, where we regularly share the latest reflections and insights from families, students, and partners. Thank you for being part of our journey to empower, educate, and connect.

Autism Delaware

ROOTS Job Readiness Program

October 14, 2024

 

To whom it may concern:

Autism Delaware is a proud partner of ROOTS and highly encourages you to support its

important work to empower individuals of all backgrounds to unite and make the world a

more sustainable place.

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Autism Delaware’s POW&R (Providing Opportunities for Work and Recreation) program, a

nationally recognized initiative, has been working with ROOTS for the last year in support of them as well as to provide a place in the community for adults on the autism spectrum to learn and thrive. As part of this collaboration, our adults help collect and clean chicken eggs, landscape, and help with various custodial tasks, experiences our group relishes in.

By allowing our individuals to work at ROOTS, POW&R participant is given a unique

opportunity to engage with others in a safe space while learning valuable job skills in the

process. For example, the ability of one of our participants to interact with the various animals on the property, specifically the chickens, has fostered a healthy curiosity and ability to care for the animals. The safe space allowed the individual to engage in healthy communication, with an added benefit of being receptive to assisting peers completing their certain tasks.

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Finding rewarding partnerships like the one we so gratefully share with ROOTS is not easy

and we know the tremendous impact it has on our program participants. The importance of self-worth and value, to be included in the community, and to learn in the process, these are the tenets Autism Delaware lives by. Achieving these is only made possible through the partnership with organizations like ROOTS.

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We, again, strongly encourage you to support this good work. When you invest in ROOTS, you are not only helping them grow and reach a broader community, but you also make an impact on those ROOTS serves and partners with like Autism Delaware.

Please feel free to reach out to us with any further questions.

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Respectfully,

 

Dan Getman

Director of Development

Dan.Getman@autismdelaware.org

(302) 224-6020 x206

Founding Family

Attending all ROOTS programs

To Whom It May Concern, 

 

Three years ago, I saw an ad for a new youth development program near our home in Georgetown, Delaware. At the time, I had a freshly turned 3 year old and an infant. To say I was overwhelmed would be an understatement and the thought of adding one more thing to our plate seemed insane. I took a leap of faith and signed up our daughter, Norah, for her first workshop. Over the last three years, our two children have participated in almost every program and community event this wonderful organization has had to offer. 

 

The most valuable “thing” R.O.O.T.S. provides for our family is safety, but not in the way you would expect. My children are neurodivergent, my husband and I are as well. Their emotional, mental and physical wellbeing are our top priority, knowing first hand how challenging life can be with this neurotype. At R.O.O.T.S., we are all accepted, accommodated and celebrated. There aren’t many places that claim this and execute it as well as Talon and Travis. I’ve lived in Sussex County my entire life and have never truly experienced such inclusivity and acceptance. I’m beyond thankful my children will never know that struggle because of the community the Holleman’s have created. In addition to that, my children also have severe food allergies. Any time there has been a food related event, R.O.O.T.S. has gone to extreme lengths to make sure everyone could participate safely, further solidifying their place as an inclusive environment.

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The other valuable trait I have personally witnessed in Talon and Travis specifically is their deep desire for further education, no matter the topic. You’ll see them at community events talking with other members of the community just soaking up every ounce of information they can get to better their program for us. Input from local teachers/administrators, medical professionals, members of the agricultural community, etc is all absorbed and put to good use in some way. I’ve seen them devour multiple forms of online training and continuing education resources. I deeply admire their constant drive for ways to grow and nurture  the community they have built. 

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If I were to list all the ways the R.O.O.T.S and the Holleman’s have supported our family, this letter would never end. If you have any specific questions or need further information, please do not hesitate to reach out. 
 

Sincerely,

Jennifer Downey

jenniferdowney12@me.com 

ROOTS Teacher

Mentored instructor & Environment at ROOTS

To whom it may concern,

I’ve enjoyed working and teaching through R.O.O.T.S (Reaching Outside of Traditional Learning) for the past two years. I have seen the dedication and true leadership skills it has taught me since I joined. Initially, I joined to gain volunteering experience as a Teacher’s Assistant for the self-sufficiency 9-week program for children ages 2-5, in which we learn about altruism, environmental stewardship, and so much

more. Later on, I was also a volunteer throughout their 9-week summer camp program.

 

Our topics are engaging, ranging from growing mushrooms to learning more about farm animals! Currently, I have been granted the opportunity to teach many wonderful kids from the ages of 5-12!! Since I joined, I have felt the warm community being nothing more than a joy to work with. I have nothing but extremely positive experiences with this organization!

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In addition to working with them, I would like to highlight the organization's admirable qualities and how these have impacted the kids. R.O.O.T.S. is highly passionate about teaching young kids about the power of environmental stewardship. Through the carefully designed curriculum, R.O.O.T.S has created positive experiences for many young kids, with them always looking forward to every class. R.O.O.T.S.’s dedication to helping the environment and spreading knowledge is prevalent. The main goals are to help

others learn and succeed, and young children should be more open to new learning opportunities. To me, it has served as a source of inspiration, leading me to continue my journey of learning as a teacher to better serve these pioneering minds.

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Additionally, R.O.O.T.S is highly accomplished and has recently impacted our community by being showcased in many public broadcasting/news areas, such as 47ABC, Cape Gazette, Delaware News Journal, and so much more. R.O.O.T.S has taken this initiative to work with others around our community and to establish a foundation of curiosity at the core of young kids who want to keep learning beyond the core curriculum at school. Personally, I can give my opinion as a young adult who has undergone the public education system. Often, there is little room for exploring new topics such as Hugelkultur and how to create personal connections to the world. Through R.O.O.T.S, this exploration is possible, encouraging these young minds to venture into their imagination.

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R.O.O.T.S is one of a kind in many aspects, but at the end of the day, R.O.O.T.S has inspired me and many others to continue making a difference in their schools, our community, and the world. The values instilled by R.O.O.T.S emphasize quality learning, which is unique to R.O.O.T.S because this learning is done through engaging lessons that reach beyond the borders of a traditional education system. This organization is highly dedicated to continuous learning, and by setting these positive goals early on, many

of these kids are prepared to go into the world with an explorative mind! With this, I can confidently say that R.O.O.T.S is bound to continue making a difference in the lives of many more young kids, intending to educate many more generations!

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Melisa Velasquez-Zunun

Current Teacher for R.O.O.T.S

Young Environmentalist of Delaware 2024

Founding Family

Job Readiness & ROOTS Community Initiative

“ROOTS Community Initiative has made such a positive impact on our family and specifically our son who has severe Autism. Their inclusive environment, superior support, and progressive way of thinking paves the way for children like my son who will grow up to be adults with disabilities. It provides opportunities for purposeful work and numerous ways they can give back to their community. My son has been introduced to many different tasks on the homestead that have improved his regulation, communication skills, and overall mood. Roots Community Initiative has been able to give my son what years of therapy are still trying to achieve. There is a huge need in our community for RCI and Talon and Travis are two amazing people who saw that and took action! I can't thank them enough for what they are doing for my son and our family!” - -Michelle Greene

Founding Family

Job Readiness Program and ROOTS programs

To whom it may concern, 

I am writing in support of ROOTS Youth Development and the benefits of their homeschooling, nature, and yoga programs. As someone who is passionate about homeschooling and about preparing children for the future, I believe this program has the potential to make a real impact in our community. 

R.O.O.T.S has developed an innovative and effective solution to offering students ways to learn that reach outside of the traditional classroom. By helping ROOTS reach out to the community we can help students to learn more about nature, farming, animals, environmental impact, feelings and emotions, and how they can make a real difference in the future of our community. 

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The potential impact of ROOTS is significant! My son Paul has been a part of the ROOTS family for 4 years. During that time he has learned many things about animals, plants, tools, construction, and so much more. He has learned about responsibility, following directions, communication, solving problems, hard work, teamwork, patience, and leadership. 

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I strongly believe that ROOTS is a positive solution for our community. ROOTS has a proven track record of success and has the experience and expertise to execute this learning project in a fabulous outdoor environment with outstanding leaders and role models. 

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Sincerely, 

Jennifer Marchetti 

Autism Delaware

Job Readiness Program

October 3, 2024

To whom it may concern,

 

This letter is in reference to ROOTS Youth Development Program. When I was an employee with Autism Delaware, I had a few participants volunteer their services at ROOTS. The participants range from non- verbal to independent on the Autism spectrum. Talon and Travis are amazing with the participants. Their patience, understanding, and ability to connect with everyone is a gift.

 

I would like to tell you about one volunteer in particular. Sean is a 25 year old who is fairly independent. Sean can come off as rude and very harsh in his interactions, as well as, verbally aggressive. Many people are intimidated by Sean and do not want to work with him. The first day Sean arrived at ROOTS, Travis and Talon began to develop a rapport with him. They were not intimidated by him even after hearing his dislike for doing physical work. Travis and Talon took Sean on a tour of their homestead. Sean was intrigued with the chickens, turkeys and other birds. Travis, noticing Sean’s interest in the birds, guided Sean into the coop. Sean immediately picked up a chicken and a sense of peace came over him. In 6 years, Sean’s staff had never experienced the calm side of him.

 

Travis and Talon allow Sean to collect the eggs and then sort them by which type of bird they are from.

 

Due to the confidence Travis and Talon have in Sean, Sean is excited to go to ROOTS. He is teaching others how to gently pet the birds, collect the eggs and sort them. Sean asks for Talon and Travis on a regular basis and enjoys being around them.

 

Travis and Talon are making a huge impact in not only the community, but the special needs community as well. They are opening new doors for Autism Delaware participants by teaching them new skills and allowing them to become as independent as possible.

 

Sincerely,

 

Michelle Robbins

302-339-5687

Lullaby Learning Center

Learning Center Yoga & SEL Programming

“I am writing to recommend Talon Holleman, owner of Grounded ROOTS Yoga. We have worked together and have collaborated at Lullaby Learning Center as I am the school Director and have worked with Talon in her position as a Certified Children’s Yoga & Mindfulness Instructor. As a contracted instructor, Talon Holleman has always offered our school a quality program in which students and teachers alike look forward to meeting each week to focus on their health and wellness in a fun interactive way. Each class offers our young students new knowledge regarding their bodies and the world around them. Talon’s curriculum consists of a variety of activities that keep all types of learners engaged. Talon makes each individual child feel acknowledged and special. Her patience, warm energy, and enthusiasm for her passion makes yoga class a wonderful experience!” - Kim Sliben, Director, Lullaby Learning Center

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