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Hi, Everyone! My name is Nancy Reeves, and I am the coordinator of the adults with special

abilities program here at the BLOOM (Building Lives Occupational Outreach Ministry) Center.

We are a practical, hands-on ministry of Central Bearden Baptist Church at 6300 Deane Hill

Drive in Knoxville. 

Our adult program has goals such as  work skills learned, staying on task, following directions, remembering and following routines, and expanding verbal expression and new vocabulary related to being a part of a functioning greenhouse.

We include the opportunity for fun, social interaction with peers and volunteers ie. playing basketball, eating lunch together both on and off site, off-site events ie. Iams Nature Park, planting at a variety of projects in our community, pool party, special holiday parties and activities, visiting Island Home airport to learn about helicopters, etc. 

We also learn about God by talking about our friends, families, helpers, plants, sun and water, and

thank Him for all he is and does for us.

Everyone likes to feel important; therefore, we are always looking for ways to give back to the

community by sharing flowers, helping others, etc. At this time, we work at the BLOOM Center

on Tuesday and Friday from 11:15-12:45 during the school year and then continue earlier

morning hours during June and August. We take a break during July.

It is my responsibility to recruit/ interview new adult participants and their parent or caregiver before enrolling in the program. We want their participation to be a good match both for the participant and the adult program in general. If the family and I both agree this would be a valuable part of their weekly schedule, I make sure that I have a clear understanding of learning styles, any fears, behavioral triggers, or health issues that could affect their participation.

Volunteers are very important to the success of the program so I talk with prospective

volunteers and inform them of our program mission, the type of tasks and interaction they will

have with our BLOOM friends who are either currently a part of the program now or may

possibly be in the future. Volunteers in our adult program love to work and play and laugh with

our special friends. No special skills are required. I provide support when some guidance is

needed or requested; but basically, we share ourselves with these who come so willingly and

have a great time together. Some of our volunteers are very knowledgeable about plants (not

me) and others come just wanting to spend time and laugh and learn alongside our friends.

As an important outgrowth of the adult BLOOM program, we have started a Sunday morning

class using curriculum designed specifically for adults with learning challenges. We want this

time to be fun and informative about the love of God and each person’s part in the larger plan

of God in this world. We started our class in January so we are discovering new ways to grow

and learn together. Many of our class members are not members of Central Bearden and leave

after our 9:30-10:30 class and go to their current worship services at other churches or stay and

attend our worship at 11:00 at Central Bearden. All are welcome!

If you and/or your family member are interested in becoming a part of the BLOOM adult

program or visit the Sunday morning class, inquiries can be made at any time. Contact Nancy

Reeves at nreeves01@comcast.net or 865-705-2218. Also, I can share with you contact

information of others who are already a part of one or both programs during the week and

Sunday morning.

Try us out. I think you will be amazed and so very thankful for this opportunity!