NORMAL - A dream for greater independence is growing in a storm shelter at the Occupational Development Center.

Lettuce, chard, peppers, tomatoes, Coleus and narcissus are among vegetables and flowers growing in small containers that will be transplanted next month to a grassy area front of ODC, 360 Wylie Drive.

The therapeutic garden will be more than aesthetically pleasing, said ODC President and Chief Executive Officer Matt Jackson. The Oasis at ODC is an effort to get 20 to 30 ODC participants to experience gardening and nature, to work with each other, to learn from master gardeners and to interact more with the community.

"It's really unique," said Clarine Aldrich, 43, of Bloomington, who has been a participant for about 10 years. She generally does assembly work but recently has been among clients planting and caring for the plants.

"We get to watch the plants grow," said Aldrich, who has bipolar disorder. "I never had a garden before."

The garden grew from the relationship of ODC - which provides life skills, job training and job placement for people with disabilities - with Jerry Swartz of the University of Illinois Extension Master Gardeners in McLean County. Swartz, of Bloomington, coordinates the plastic garden pot recycling program for McLean County. The containers are sorted, cleaned and repacked for shipping at the ODC recycling center.

Swartz has been involved in gardens outside the Unity Center in Normal and David Davis Mansion State Historic Site in Bloomington.

"We want them to experience a normal activity (gardening) that a lot of people take pleasure in … but in an environment that is conducive to the levels in which they learn," Jackson said.

The Master Gardeners' board of directors agreed that a therapeutic garden would fit with their mission to help others learn to grow. ODC and the University of Illinois Extension also signed off.

Sixteen Master Gardeners selected edible vegetables and colorful, fragrant flowers that would attract butterflies and wouldn't hurt participants, Swartz said. Shrubs with thorns, for example, were left out.

Indoor plantings began earlier this winter. Master Gardeners are conducting occasional classes for ODC clients. Higher-functioning participants - such as Aldrich - are assisting lower-functioning clients.

"It's teaching me patience and how to get along with other people," Aldrich said.

The garden will include zinnias, marigolds, corn, beans, herbs, boxwood evergreen shrubs, butterfly bushes and milkweed to attract butterflies and hummingbirds, Swartz said. Clients in wheelchairs can work in the raised gardens.

Swartz and Jackson hope to have four gardens within three years.

"I'm excited," Aldrich said. "Hopefully none of my plants will die when I touch them. I don't have a green thumb."

Swartz smiled. "It'll be green by summer."

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How to help

To sponsor a part of The Oasis at ODC, call (309) 820-0723, Ext. 306.