Homesteads for Hope holds annual harvest family BBQ

Rochester, New York — Homesteads for hope holds an annual harvest BBQ in Rochester.

This event started five years ago on the Jenny Brongo initiative, giving young adults with disabilities a chance to build independence and interact with others while working on a farm.

“I love seeing people for the last five years holding onto hope, holding onto a dream,” Brongo said. “I am a sister to autism and this was a dream I had for my brother, but I share it with so many families now.”

The farm held its annual harvest family BBQ on Saturday, an event that usually brings hundreds of families to the farm including families like Cindy Amalfi and her son, Johnny.

According to Cindy, Johnny has autism and is a part of the Homesteads for Hope apprentice program, where he learns tasks like growing vegetables and raising chickens. It’s an initiative that’s helped him break out of his shell.

“The people out here are just wonderful,” Amalfi said. “It’s bringing him out of his shell, he’s learning to communicate and socialize.”

Community members were treated to a BBQ dinner, crafts, and live music.

The event is giving people a chance to see what Homesteads for Hope is all about.

“[The] best way is to come to see it in action,” Brongo said. “You can’t read it in a brochure. We are an inclusive community and the first in our region.”