Today we’d like to introduce you to Taylor Gardner Chaney.
Hi Taylor, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My little sister, Lindsay, was born with down syndrome, and we are only 16 months apart! I don’t really know life without her. Lindsay and I transitioned to adulthood around the same time, and that transition looked very differently for both of us. I was deciding what college to go to, if I wanted to travel, what I wanted to study and have as a career. Her choices were so limited and didn’t consist of anything that would really grow her as a person. She was so young, and I didn’t want her at an adult daycare for hours each day as just a number. I wanted her to have more opportunities, continue learning, making new friends, finding fulfillment, etc. When my family and I couldn’t find this place for her, I decided to create it.
The Garden Foundation was founded and created to be an inclusive space for adults with disabilities to continue learning, make new friends, and have some fun. We are an educationally-based program with recreational and vocational classes as well. We are smaller by design and have a more personalized approach, helping each person reach their full potential, whatever that might be.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
There have been more challenges than I can count. Starting a business is hard. Starting something from the ground up and creating what you wish existed is challenging in every way- but fortunately, I have a VERY strong why. I knew my sister and her peers/all adults with disabilities deserved more than what is being offered. I wanted people to be seen for what they ARE capable of, not what they’re not.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about what you do?
I founded The Garden Foundation 5 years ago, a thriving nonprofit organization with the intent to create more opportunities for adults with disabilities and make our community more inclusive. I have also founded Tribe Inclusive, a national online program for adults with disabilities as a positive online space of connection and learning as well as Dig it! Coffee Co. a social enterprise coffee shop in downtown Las Vegas providing competitive wage employment opportunities for adults with disabilities and their peers. I am most proud of our people. The people that we get to see every day meet milestones and surpass milestones because of our programs, services, and our compassionate team who helps people to reach their fullest potential. I am so proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish within 5 years, and look forward for all that is to come.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
The people we get to help every day put more joy in my heart than I could ever express. They are most authentically themselves, and it makes me incredibly happy to be a part of their journey.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.thegardenfoundationlv.org , www.digitcoffeeco.com
- Instagram: @thegardenfoundationlv @digitcoffeeco
- Facebook: thegardenfoundationlv digitcoffeeco
