Can You Dig It is a program of Mainstream Association for Proactive Community Living (MAPCL). MAPCL supports individuals with developmental disabilities by providing a range of support services to more than 850 people. These services include: staffed residences, home sharing, life skills, leisure-recreation programs, work experience and a theatre company.

Can You Dig It is an offshoot of the Lady Bug Art Gardens project which is planning 24 produce gardens at sites owned, rented or leased by MAPCL. The goal through the project is to train 6 people in woodworking and 18 in gardening.  These individuals will be hired by Ladybug Art Gardens and paid minimum wage to establish produce and art gardens throughout the Lower Mainland. As part of this initiative Can You Dig It will create 10 neighborhood hubs for growing produce gardens of which a percentage will be given to food banks, etc.

This concept has innumerable positive impacts, including:

• It results in persons with developmental disabilities receiving valuable training that leads to full economic inclusion.
• It erases stigma by demonstrating the abilities of persons with disabilities to contribute to the betterment of their communities. This enhances feelings of self-worth; persons with developmental disabilities will gain respect
• It leads to the creation of meaningful, self-sustaining micro-networks within community which will strengthen local communities, makes them safer, and foster a true sense of belonging
• It promotes environmentally responsible and sustainable land-use while providing more economic and healthier nutritional options and improving food security for our communities, including assistance for the economically disadvantaged
• It results in demonstrated therapeutic effects for participants (physical and psychological wellbeing) and fosters a culture of social, civic and environmental mindfulness

BCSVP Partners will assist with:

• developing a business plan that will further secure Ladybug Art Gardens as a sustainable business and stable employer of persons with developmental disabilities.
• developing the Ladybug Art Garden micro-enterprise to solicit landscaping/art garden contracts from participating neighbours who have come to value the skills and abilities of persons with developmental disabilities
• providing direction/oversight in the creation of a feasibility study and business plan, and guide us in identifying and assessing the opportunities and risks. As a non-profit, social services organization, MAPCL has not had either the expertise or time to commit to adequate planning for small business development.

http://www.mapcl.org/CanYouDigIt/