About Planting Possibilities
Planting Possibilities provides a nurturing environment where adults with autism and other developmental disabilities can work toward their own goals of building fulfilling lives through meaningful work.
Our mission is to provide fulfilling employment, job skills training, and volunteer opportunities in Lake County, Indiana to adults with autism and other developmental disabilities.
Think about the personal satisfaction you feel when you’re part of a job well done. Adults with autism and other developmental disabilities enjoy that same sense of pride and accomplishment. But two-thirds of adults with disabilities are NOT working — that’s in a strong economy.
Planting Possibilities partners with local businesses to provide supportive working and job training experiences. We provide Vocational Rehabilitation Services as well as Waiver Services related to job training, coaching, and follow-along in Lake County, Indiana.
We are CARF Accredited for community employment services, job development, and community integration.
A Long Term Vision for the Community
A greenhouse is a labor-intensive operation, requiring several different skill levels to maintain. We are actively working toward our goal to build a campus and greenhouse that will provide job training and employment opportunities, while adding value for the community.
PHASE 1
GREENHOUSE
Build hoop houses and a greenhouse so we can get busy training, working, and growing.
PHASE 2
GIFT SHOP
Construct, stock, and open a market and gift shop.
PHASE 3
EVENT SPACE
Build a conservatory and small events facility equipped with a commercial kitchen.
PHASE 4
BOTANICAL GARDEN
Design and plant a botanical garden to serve as a living testimony to the abilities of our trainees & employees.
PHASE 5
LIVING SPACE
Build a residential ‘mini-village’ for trainees and employees who may need to live closer to work.
Planting Possibilities Team
Mark Neiner
Executive Director
Mark is a founder and the Vice President. He was responsible for our application and subsequent acceptance as Vocational Rehabilitation and Medicaid Waiver provider statuses, and for gaining our CARF accreditation.
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Mark manages the daily operations at Planting Possibilities from planning and caring for our ½ acre garden and teaching our semi-weekly classes to administrating our Voc Rehab and Waiver services. He most enjoys working with our Campagna Project students by developing educational and task-oriented activities designed to present work as fulfilling – and even fun.
Mark is a graduate of Purdue University and Indiana University. After a 30 year career as a project manager in commercial construction, he is happy to have made the transition to the nonprofit world. His business and work experiences are invaluable assets for Planting Possibilities.
Mary Anne Neiner
President
Mary Anne is the Founder and President.
In 2011 she and her husband, Mark, incorporated Planting Possibilities with the vision of building a greenhouse to employ and job train adults with autism and other developmental disabilities.
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Mary Anne is the Founder and President.
In 2011 she and her husband, Mark, incorporated Planting Possibilities with the vision of building a greenhouse to employ and job train adults with autism and other developmental disabilities.
Mary Anne became involved in the autism community when their son, Eric, was diagnosed with autism over 20 years ago. She served as President of the Northwest Indiana Chapter of the Autism Society of America for 8 years, sat on the Board of Directors of the Autism Society of Indiana for six years and is a graduate of the Indiana Governor’s Council for People with Disabilities “Partners in Policymaking” training program.
Mary Anne is a Purdue graduate, as are Mark and their daughter Colleen. Although Planting Possibilities is her passion, her career is in railroad engineering at a major North American railroad.
Carol Wachala
Board Member
Carol is a retired Special Education teacher.
She and her husband Mike are avid bikers, hikers, and gardeners. They raised their two adult children in Munster while Carol worked as a Special Education teacher in a neighboring school district.
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After Carol retired she learned about Planting Possibilities and thought volunteering at our Campagna Project would be the perfect blending of her love for her past profession and her love of gardening. She spends two afternoons every week volunteering at the Campagna classes with Mark Neiner, Judy Allen and several other dedicated volunteers.
Carol not only brings her years of special education expertise to the board, but her professional knowledge, kind heart and green thumb to our Campagna Project.
Judy Allen
Board Member
Judy is a Master Gardener and retired vocational rehabilitation specialist.
She served as a Vocational Evaluation Coordinator at Tradewinds Rehabilitation center for 13 years, focusing on work assessment including work sampling, job tryouts, testing, goal setting and planning.
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Judy also performed neurophysiological and psychological testing and served as a Behavior Specialist, helping develop and implement behavior plans.
Upon retirement, Judy became a Master Gardener. Judy and her husband Tom are active in greyhound rescue, and are avid organic gardeners. Judy has supported Planting Possibilities as a direct support professional and a Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist. Her past professional experiences and love of gardening makes her a perfect fit at Planting Possibilities!
Margie Dytrych
Board Member
Marge is a founding member of Planting Possibilities and volunteers weekly at our Campagna Project.
Marge recently retired after a 40 year career as a surgical nurse having worked at two major Chicago hospitals. While she and her husband Karl raised their two children, she worked at a local hospital and as a school nurse so she could be more available to manage services for her son with autism.
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Marge has been active in the local autism community through the NWI Chapter of the Autism Society and as a member of our special education Parent Network. She also regularly volunteers at Opportunity Enterprises in Valparaiso, where her son attends a day program and resides in a supported living apartment.
Her medical expertise, energy, and extensive knowledge of autism services are valued assets at Planting Possibilities.
Karl Dytrych
Board Member
Karl received his Bachelor and MBA degrees from Loyola University of Chicago. He has volunteered his financial and business services to Planting Possibilities from its founding as a member of the Board of Professional Advisers.
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Karl retired from the position of Director of Finance and Administrative Services (CFO) for the Catholic Diocese of Gary in 2017 after 22 years of service. He then joined the Executive Committee of Planting Possibililties’ board to serve as our Treasurer with the hope of expanding his volunteer participation.
Karl is a native of Chicago and current resident of Munster. He is married with two adult children.
We are fortunate to have Karl’s financial expertise to help lead our organization.
Paul Gergets
Board Member
Paul is the Vice President of Engineering and Innovation for an international manufacturer of safety, security and industrial products. He holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and an MBA.
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Paul grew up in the Roseland neighborhood of Chicago and currently lives in St. John, IN with his wife Joyce and their two daughters, one of whom has a developmental disability.
He joined Planting Possibilities’ board after he learned that our mission closely aligned with his desire to improve the availability of meaningful activities for young adults with intellectual disabilities in Lake County.
His enthusiasm and deep commitment to Planting Possibilities’ mission makes him the perfect chairman for our annual golf outing, one of our most important yearly fundraisers.
In his spare time, Paul enjoys woodworking and making his own guitars.
Kris Kucer Dombrowski
Board Member
Kris Kucer Dombrowski joined the Board in 2019. She has over 25 years as a Human Resources professional mostly within the medical field. Kris lives in Schererville with her husband of 40 years, Jerry, and their rescued Airedale terrier, Guinness.
Kris says, “I feel blessed to have found such a caring organization to belong to.” We are happy she found us, too!
Jerry Yothment
Board Member
Jerry is the Retired CIO for Cleveland Cliffs Inc., North America’s largest flat-rolled steel producer. He has volunteered with Planting Possibilities since 2019 and is involved in other charitable works including the American Red Cross. He has a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering and a master’s in business, both from Purdue University, and is a private pilot – flying for fun!
Ruth Yothment
Board Member
Bio coming soon!
Shraddha Parikh
Direct Support Professional (MSW)
Shraddha Parikh joined Planting Possibilities as a volunteer in 2017. She was hired in February 2018 to assist with CARF (Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities) certification and as a Direct Support Service Professional.
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Shraddha works with clients, providing them job coaching and other services in the related field while still volunteering for fundraisers and other activities.Prior to joining Planting Possibilities, Shraddha worked as a Psychotherapist at an outpatient Mental health center for 10 years and has also worked as a Client Care and Listing Coordinator for a real estate agent for over 10 years. She has a degree in BSc. Home Science and Master of Social Work (MSW) from The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, India.
Communications and Marketing Team
Beth Ondas
Meagan Yothment
Ruth Yothment
Professional Advisory Board
Rich Christakes
Mont Handley
Brad Hemingway
James Hitz
David Wendlinger