FlowerBuds
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Seedling 
The FlowerBuds project began with flowers being grown at Old Farm Rockport, a Supportive Living Inc.(SLI) residential housing facility for brain injured adults. The program evolved from the therapeutic horticulture program, offered at Old Farm since 2016.
Random acts of kindness can instantly lift anyone’s spirits by letting them know that someone cares about them; they have a “buddy” who wants to make them happy-hence the name FlowerBuds. The social connections generated by this simple gesture have been shown to be a major contributor to mental health well-being and healing.
Roots 
Program Manager, Leslie Doig created beautiful cutting gardens which provide not only a beautiful surrounding for residents but also an opportunity for them to participate in the assembly of the bouquets.
Each week, Old Farm residents, along with other people affected by brain injury, join FlowerBuds volunteers to gather simple posies from flowers grown onsite and delivered to unsuspecting recipients.
Pollination
The program runs from June through October each year. Once the blooms are ready, small bouquets – posies – of flowers are delivered to anyone in the community who may benefit from an act of kindness, including those who are isolated, living in healthcare facilities, facing a personal challenge or in need of a smile.
Prior recipients include the Rockport Council-on-Aging who distributed to people they support in the community. “Thank you and your residents for the beautiful flowers offered to so many isolated seniors. This is such a wonderful surprise to the many seniors who have received them. They have been overjoyed with delight”-Diane Bertolino, Director, Rockport Council on Aging.
Growth
This year, the FlowerBuds Project is partially funded by a micro-grant from Awesome Rockport. The program is made possible by grant awards and/or community donations.
