Summer Interns Celebration At Longwood Gardens, Chester County

KENNETT SQUARE, PA —State and local officials joined in a celebration this week of the success of the first year of MY Work summer employment program at Longwood Gardens, a popular tourist destination in Chester County.

MY Work Initiative is a summer employment program created by the state to provide high school students with disabilities the chance to work within their local municipalities and nonprofits.

“We are honored to partner with MY Work to create these valuable experiences for students as they begin their employment journeys,” Sarah Cathcart, vice president of engagement and learning at Longwood Gardens, said during a celebration of the first year of the new program.

Marc Elliot of West Grove represented the Chester County Intermediate Unit, and Solveig M. Daniels of West Chester represented the state Department of Labor & Industry’s Office of Vocational Rehabilitation participated.

Daniels plans to attend Kutztown University in the fall, and Elliott will be a student at the Intermediate Unit.

During the four-week program, the two worked with Longwood staff on various projects across the gardens, including covering a greenhouse structure; painting, cleaning, and organizing tool sheds; weeding and mulching; and assisting in the onsite restaurant.

The MY Work Initiative program helps students ages 16-21 contribute to Pennsylvania’s economy and build independent living skills, learn effective communication skills, manage a paycheck, and more.

The state provides funds for students' wages and for a worksite trainer or supervisor to ensure the students learn valuable work-based learning experiences.

For more information, visit longwoodgardens.org.