WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO BE A MMFS VOLUNTEER?

“Mitten Misfits Farm Sanctuary works closely with my son, and his job coaching organization to give him an opportunity to volunteer on the farm and give him valuable job experience. My son has always wanted to work on a farm but his developmental disability gives him a communication delay and anxiety. The owner is very flexible and works with our availability and with my son’s needs. Everything is organized and each volunteer knows what they are expected to do and very clear how to do it. But most of all, the owner has cultivated an environment that is peaceful, friendly, and very accepting. My son is thriving in this environment. He gets up every work day, excited to go to work. He feels valued for his strengths and accepted as a good worker. And every day his confidence grows.
As a result, Mitten misfits farm Sanctuary gets a very dedicated, hard worker and my son gets to work where he has always wanted to be. Thank you!” - Misfits Volunteer

“Being accepted by the Misfit’s team means that we can have an experience that neurotypical mothers and sons can have.  We can be part of something bigger than us and we are accepted as we are.  The Misfit team talks to my son and includes him without underestimation or judgment.  The animals accept us too.  They welcome us and seem to speak to my son.  I can’t explain it but I can see it.  Finally, my son feels a sense of purpose that is difficult to find given his barriers  .  I see the pride he feels in caring for something outside of himself.   It’s easy for us to feel like misfits ourselves but when we are at the farm we belong to a community.” – Misfits Volunteer 

“I love being at the farm – all of my cares melt away while I am there. It did so much for me when my Mom passed away. It gave me peace and calm, and I felt so good giving something back that was bigger than myself.” 

– Misfit Volunteer

 “I volunteer for the farm and love my time with the animals. I look forward to seeing them and they always make me smile. I brought my kids out one day to help me with some donations and to meet the animals. At first my son felt sad that some of the animals had struggles, but after a half hour not a single handicap existed. He had completely forgotten and found so much joy in getting to know each one of them that he could. He was so inspired by their can-do-anything attitudes and how their barriers that he once felt sad about, did not stop them one bit. It was a life-lesson I wasn’t expecting, and one that touched my heart.”

-Misfit Volunteer