Sacred Ground enjoys taking crew into the community

Sacred Ground may have a great facility inside Grace Church in Berlin to provide a sanctuary of fellowship and learning for individuals with special needs and their families, but the staff isn’t averse to taking the entire crew out into the community.

In fact, they thoroughly enjoy it and get out as much as possible.

Sacred Ground Director Griffin Long said these outside programs like treks to the Holmes County District Public Library, to work at the Garden of Hope at Millersburg Elementary and many other trips around the area brighten the days of the individuals and provide an educational experience for them.

“During this past summer, we were out and about more days than not,” Long said. “We have been visiting the library a couple times a month, where we always experience some incredible activities that everyone enjoys immensely. We have come to the Garden of Hope several times, and what’s nice about that is that it gives us a chance to interact with younger students from Mrs. Park’s class.”

Another favorite is miniature golfing at Country Acres Mini Golf in Berlin, and Long said he had no idea how many golfers were among his individuals.

They also do volunteer work at Mission Thrift in Berlin and have done work for Tekton, and there are other trips they have made that have benefited the individuals.

Recently, Sacred Ground purchased a Ford F-350 with extended capacity and a high ceiling, thanks to a grant and some local donations, allowing Sacred Ground to safely transport its individuals to these outside areas, along with their two other smaller vehicles.

In addition, Long said Sacred Ground has a mobile coffee shop in which they can take it to various area businesses and provide people with coffee.

He said they have been to several area banks and other businesses in Holmes County, and they serve staff and even customers who might be present with one of eight different types of coffee.

Long said the idea is to provide an opportunity for the Sacred Ground individuals to learn how to serve others while developing some service-oriented skills. In addition, they have a chance to connect with community members.

“Our group loves to serve,” Long said. “For us, learning how to work with and serve the community is what we’re all about, and we love the interaction that takes place during these coffee visits. People seem to really enjoy it and have been incredibly supportive.”

Long said he believes a community doesn’t fully thrive until everyone is included, and these types of endeavors have opened the door to make relationships and get all of his individuals into the community where they can serve others.

“The whole atmosphere at the places we stop at is transformed when we visit,” Long said. “It’s just such a joyous moment for everyone involved.”

During the coffee stops, anyone can order a cup of coffee, and while there is no fee, they can make a donation to Sacred Ground.

“Our main goal is to be active in the community and to serve and give back, and the results have been amazing,” Long said. “We continue to look for places to go and serve.”

Anyone wishing to have Sacred Ground’s coffee bar come to their business may do so by calling or emailing Long at 330-403-9075 or griffin@thesacredground.org. Long said all they require is electricity, availability to water and an area accessible for wheelchairs.

He said the ideal number of people to serve is between 20-30 people in one-hour visits.

Sacred Ground also has committed to a cooking program, with a large kitchen at their disposal at their home at Grace Church in Berlin.

Long said a half dozen area grocery stores have dedicated themselves to providing Sacred Ground with gift cards, and the individuals enjoy heading out weekly to go shopping for ingredients to cook up whatever might be on that week’s menu.

Long said the group actually creates the menu for the weekly meal and then heads out to the local grocers to pick and purchase the ingredients.

“That’s something everyone here loves participating in,” Long said. “The whole concept of going into a grocery store to pick out items is exciting, and it’s another way we can get everyone out into the community.”

Once a purchase is made, they head back to Sacred Ground and whip up the meal.

Sacred Ground serves families from Holmes, Wayne and Tuscarawas counties and provides transportation.

To learn more, visit Sacred Ground at www.thesacredground.org.