Richard Biggins
A native of Oak Park, Richard Biggins grew up as an active member of the neighborhood. After his younger sister Jean was born with Down syndrome in 1955, his parents helped create an organization that would provide support and assistance to individuals with disabilities; thus laying the foundation for Richard’s understanding of community, advocacy and passion for helping others.
Richard simultaneously served in the US Air Force reserve as a Medical Psychiatric Corpsman, while attending Northeastern Illinois University where he obtained Bachelor’s degrees in Psychology and Sociology, as well as worked at Cook County hospital in the mental health department. His diverse work history also includes decades in sales and management in the business sector while raising his family, before finally returning to his roots at a local non-profit organization providing supported employment services for the past 7 years. He has received many awards over the years from the State of Illinois and various agencies for his achievements. Richard developed a vision of a business that would provide meaningful work and career-oriented training to individuals with disabilities in an integrated-community setting, and Empowering Gardens, Inc. was born.
A native of Oak Park, Richard Biggins grew up as an active member of the neighborhood. After his younger sister Jean was born with Down syndrome in 1955, his parents helped create an organization that would provide support and assistance to individuals with disabilities; thus laying the foundation for Richard’s understanding of community, advocacy and passion for helping others.
Richard simultaneously served in the US Air Force reserve as a Medical Psychiatric Corpsman, while attending Northeastern Illinois University where he obtained Bachelor’s degrees in Psychology and Sociology, as well as worked at Cook County hospital in the mental health department. His diverse work history also includes decades in sales and management in the business sector while raising his family, before finally returning to his roots at a local non-profit organization providing supported employment services for the past 7 years. He has received many awards over the years from the State of Illinois and various agencies for his achievements. Richard developed a vision of a business that would provide meaningful work and career-oriented training to individuals with disabilities in an integrated-community setting, and Empowering Gardens, Inc. was born.
Haley Mae Mott
Haley Mae Mott, Operations Manager for Empowering Gardens (EGI) is as vibrant and diverse as the many plants sold by the nursery and garden shop. A self-taught gardener, Haley’s expertise includes vegetables and herbs as well as plants and flowers. She has honed her skills growing her own plants—she nurtures 173 houseplants plus an outdoor garden she tends with her father. Haley has also worked in other nurseries and spent a year growing a restaurant garden on the Hawaiian Island of Kauai. She started her own company in 2020, Hummingbird Grow, to help residents plan and create home gardens. “I love working at EGI,” she says. “Something new pops up every day. And I especially enjoy having a leadership role and working with our employees in a gentle way. Guiding people gently is an issue I’m sensitive to from experiences in former positions.” She describes her approach as enveloping others’ feelings yet staying neutral enough to re-direct and train those she oversees. Outside of work and her interests in growing things, Haley enjoys singing, especially harmonizing with her twin sister, and recently joined the Oak Park Concert Chorale. She likes to make self-care products like aloe vera and honey face masks. And for exercise, she rollerblades and walks her dog, Aqua, an Australian cattle dog she rescued last year.
Haley Mae Mott, Operations Manager for Empowering Gardens (EGI) is as vibrant and diverse as the many plants sold by the nursery and garden shop. A self-taught gardener, Haley’s expertise includes vegetables and herbs as well as plants and flowers. She has honed her skills growing her own plants—she nurtures 173 houseplants plus an outdoor garden she tends with her father. Haley has also worked in other nurseries and spent a year growing a restaurant garden on the Hawaiian Island of Kauai. She started her own company in 2020, Hummingbird Grow, to help residents plan and create home gardens. “I love working at EGI,” she says. “Something new pops up every day. And I especially enjoy having a leadership role and working with our employees in a gentle way. Guiding people gently is an issue I’m sensitive to from experiences in former positions.” She describes her approach as enveloping others’ feelings yet staying neutral enough to re-direct and train those she oversees. Outside of work and her interests in growing things, Haley enjoys singing, especially harmonizing with her twin sister, and recently joined the Oak Park Concert Chorale. She likes to make self-care products like aloe vera and honey face masks. And for exercise, she rollerblades and walks her dog, Aqua, an Australian cattle dog she rescued last year.
Adam
Adam was the first staff member hired by Empowering Gardens, Inc. (EGI).
He possesses an Associate’s Degree in Ornamental Horticulture from Triton College and loves to share his knowledge of plant life with customers and coworkers. In addition to assisting customers and taking care of plants, he teaches several gardening related classes throughout the year. After a difficult time when Adam lost two family members within months, he became unemployed for a considerable period of time. In March 2016 while Empowering Gardens was still in the developmental process, Adam discovered our brochure at a local library and made a phone call that lead to him gaining employment at EGI. Adam enjoys collecting Hockey cards and developing his skills as an artist in ceramics and paint.
Adam was the first staff member hired by Empowering Gardens, Inc. (EGI).
He possesses an Associate’s Degree in Ornamental Horticulture from Triton College and loves to share his knowledge of plant life with customers and coworkers. In addition to assisting customers and taking care of plants, he teaches several gardening related classes throughout the year. After a difficult time when Adam lost two family members within months, he became unemployed for a considerable period of time. In March 2016 while Empowering Gardens was still in the developmental process, Adam discovered our brochure at a local library and made a phone call that lead to him gaining employment at EGI. Adam enjoys collecting Hockey cards and developing his skills as an artist in ceramics and paint.
Alex
Besides working at Empowering Gardens, he has two other part-time jobs and on Saturdays, he volunteers in his community assisting young children at a recreational center. Between jobs Alex manages to play sports; he plays basketball and softball. He also competes in the Special Olympics annually. Alex enjoys social events; particularly those that involve sports, family gathering, and dancing.
When you visit Empowering Gardens, you could find Alex unloading plant material from delivery trucks, placing price tags on potted plants or making compost.
Besides working at Empowering Gardens, he has two other part-time jobs and on Saturdays, he volunteers in his community assisting young children at a recreational center. Between jobs Alex manages to play sports; he plays basketball and softball. He also competes in the Special Olympics annually. Alex enjoys social events; particularly those that involve sports, family gathering, and dancing.
When you visit Empowering Gardens, you could find Alex unloading plant material from delivery trucks, placing price tags on potted plants or making compost.
Andrew
Andrew is a hard-working individual and currently works at three different jobs. He is a quick learner, easy going, and very easy to get along with. He recognizes his distractibility so he has become quite keen at taking notes. Andrew is adventurous and takes pleasure in exploring different cuisines. He enjoys traveling and appreciates a wide variety of music.
Andrew is a hard-working individual and currently works at three different jobs. He is a quick learner, easy going, and very easy to get along with. He recognizes his distractibility so he has become quite keen at taking notes. Andrew is adventurous and takes pleasure in exploring different cuisines. He enjoys traveling and appreciates a wide variety of music.
Auden
Auden likes staying busy and being outside, two great qualities for his work at Empowering Gardens eight hours a week. He’s worked at the nursery and garden store since last August; you may have seen him watering, trimming or organizing plants, cleaning, or helping customers check out. “I don’t like sitting still,” he says. When not working, Auden enjoys making music, hiking, photography and taking classes. He attended the School of Rock in Oak Park for several years and played bass guitar with his band the Optimystics, performing at the Berwyn Oktoberfest and other local events. His tastes favor indie rock, classical rock and some pop. His favorite musicians include Tommy Morello, American guitarist and singer from the band Rage Against the Machine, and Matthew Bellamy, English singer from the band Muse.
With his family (Mom, Dad and sister) Auden has hiked in Yosemite, Costa Rica, Colorado, Hawaii and Tennessee as well as in several local parks. Hiking in the Grand Canyon is on his bucket list. “What I enjoy about hiking is that you do the work, then get paid by experiencing a beautiful vista or interesting wildlife.” His uncle inspired him to take up photography, a hobby he let lapse during the pandemic but hopes to pursue again. Auden is enrolled in an Intro to Horticulture class at Triton to boost his knowledge of the plants he helps nurture. What does Auden’s future look like? He expects it will hold additional classes on plants, playing his bass guitar, lots of hiking and plenty of time tending to plants and people at Empowering Gardens.
Auden likes staying busy and being outside, two great qualities for his work at Empowering Gardens eight hours a week. He’s worked at the nursery and garden store since last August; you may have seen him watering, trimming or organizing plants, cleaning, or helping customers check out. “I don’t like sitting still,” he says. When not working, Auden enjoys making music, hiking, photography and taking classes. He attended the School of Rock in Oak Park for several years and played bass guitar with his band the Optimystics, performing at the Berwyn Oktoberfest and other local events. His tastes favor indie rock, classical rock and some pop. His favorite musicians include Tommy Morello, American guitarist and singer from the band Rage Against the Machine, and Matthew Bellamy, English singer from the band Muse.
With his family (Mom, Dad and sister) Auden has hiked in Yosemite, Costa Rica, Colorado, Hawaii and Tennessee as well as in several local parks. Hiking in the Grand Canyon is on his bucket list. “What I enjoy about hiking is that you do the work, then get paid by experiencing a beautiful vista or interesting wildlife.” His uncle inspired him to take up photography, a hobby he let lapse during the pandemic but hopes to pursue again. Auden is enrolled in an Intro to Horticulture class at Triton to boost his knowledge of the plants he helps nurture. What does Auden’s future look like? He expects it will hold additional classes on plants, playing his bass guitar, lots of hiking and plenty of time tending to plants and people at Empowering Gardens.
Carter
Carter started working at Empowering Gardens in 2022 and has multiple roles at our garden center. Carter is also a student at Southern Illinois University seeking a degree in production horticulture. In his spare time, he plays guitar and enjoys listening to music. Carter's favorite parts of his job are plant propagation, creating beautiful plant and flower arrangements, and helping customers.
Carter started working at Empowering Gardens in 2022 and has multiple roles at our garden center. Carter is also a student at Southern Illinois University seeking a degree in production horticulture. In his spare time, he plays guitar and enjoys listening to music. Carter's favorite parts of his job are plant propagation, creating beautiful plant and flower arrangements, and helping customers.
Charlotte
Charlotte learns quickly and pays close attention to details. She loves reading and walking, lives close by, and generally walks to work. Charlotte has volunteered with The Girls Scouts for upward of 6 years. During this time, she has been involved in cookie sales, assisted scouts as they earn badges, and has helped leaders during events. Charlotte prefers to work in a quiet and calm environment. When you visit us, you might see her completely absorbed in her task!
Charlotte learns quickly and pays close attention to details. She loves reading and walking, lives close by, and generally walks to work. Charlotte has volunteered with The Girls Scouts for upward of 6 years. During this time, she has been involved in cookie sales, assisted scouts as they earn badges, and has helped leaders during events. Charlotte prefers to work in a quiet and calm environment. When you visit us, you might see her completely absorbed in her task!
Dylan
Dylan is a reliable, hard working individual with a friendly personality. He enjoys greeting costumers and assisting them with their purchases. He likes labeling and helping unload delivery trucks. When he is not working at Empowering Gardens, Dylan likes to play video games, watch movies, and listen to music. He has taken an acting class at a community college and likes to do impersonations of famous people and imitates accents. As he is curious and intrigued by the unknown, some of his favorite plants are the sensitive plant and carnivorous plants.
Dylan is a reliable, hard working individual with a friendly personality. He enjoys greeting costumers and assisting them with their purchases. He likes labeling and helping unload delivery trucks. When he is not working at Empowering Gardens, Dylan likes to play video games, watch movies, and listen to music. He has taken an acting class at a community college and likes to do impersonations of famous people and imitates accents. As he is curious and intrigued by the unknown, some of his favorite plants are the sensitive plant and carnivorous plants.
Elizabeth
Elizabeth has a very strong work ethic and is always on time and ready to work. She is task oriented and will accomplish any attainable goal in a timely manner. In addition to being a responsible employee, Elizabeth is a courageous person who faces any challenge with a smile, enthusiasm, and valor. When she is not at work or school, Elizabeth enjoys shopping and dancing to Latin rhythms.
Elizabeth has a very strong work ethic and is always on time and ready to work. She is task oriented and will accomplish any attainable goal in a timely manner. In addition to being a responsible employee, Elizabeth is a courageous person who faces any challenge with a smile, enthusiasm, and valor. When she is not at work or school, Elizabeth enjoys shopping and dancing to Latin rhythms.
Jerry
Jeremiah (goes by Jerry) is a very independent man. He takes public transportation to get to work and enjoys listening to music and watching movies. He is comfortable using technology and appreciates his cellphone. Jeremiah started as volunteer at Empowering Gardens and was officially hired as a part-time employee on May 23, 2018. Jeremiah’s ability to follow directions and his agility is greatly appreciated during the peak of the gardening season.
Jeremiah (goes by Jerry) is a very independent man. He takes public transportation to get to work and enjoys listening to music and watching movies. He is comfortable using technology and appreciates his cellphone. Jeremiah started as volunteer at Empowering Gardens and was officially hired as a part-time employee on May 23, 2018. Jeremiah’s ability to follow directions and his agility is greatly appreciated during the peak of the gardening season.
Michael
Michael has worked successfully at many jobs in his life but enjoys working at Empowering Gardens, Inc. (EGI) the most. He is a great observer and is well versed in all things local. He keeps tabs on happenings and events in the neighborhood from new store openings to public gatherings, live music, and civic developments. He is an excellent communicator and has taken it upon himself to spread the word about Empowering Gardens' mission and events by passing out our literature and urging everyone he meets to come to the garden center. Mike is fiercely independent and hardworking. He is also an expert on public transportation, and has trained other people with disabilities on the best way to ride local busses and trains. He loves country music and attending social events in his community.
Michael has worked successfully at many jobs in his life but enjoys working at Empowering Gardens, Inc. (EGI) the most. He is a great observer and is well versed in all things local. He keeps tabs on happenings and events in the neighborhood from new store openings to public gatherings, live music, and civic developments. He is an excellent communicator and has taken it upon himself to spread the word about Empowering Gardens' mission and events by passing out our literature and urging everyone he meets to come to the garden center. Mike is fiercely independent and hardworking. He is also an expert on public transportation, and has trained other people with disabilities on the best way to ride local busses and trains. He loves country music and attending social events in his community.
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Nick
Nick is an employee with wildly diverse interests, but it is his his love of vegetables and gardening that attracted him to Empowering Gardens. He landed his job there in April by regular visits to the nursery and store, bringing food that he made from his garden in Oak Park. “I had been a customer for five years and was always impressed with the way Richard Biggins ran the business,” Nick says. “Richard is the best boss I’ve ever had and I admire how honest he is with customers. And I really enjoy the vigorous physical labor involved.” Richard, who co-founded Empowering Gardens in 2015, is impressed with Nick’s enthusiasm and willingness to work hard. “He definitely makes my day easier and is a great addition to our staff.” Before EGI, Nick earned his B.A. from Beloit College in Classic Civilizations and Ancient Greece, minoring in History and Religious Studies. From there he lived in the south of France for three years where he worked on a farm, traveled and improved his French. He returned to the U.S. to earn a Master’s in Early Childhood from National Lewis University and teach for a few years. In addition to the physical labor at EGI, Nick trains with free weights and high intensity work outs, favoring online personal trainer and fitness coach Caroline Gervain. An avid reader, he has fixated on fitness and longevity topics for the last nine years and practices meditation twice a day, every day. “Eating different food is my biggest passion,” Nick says. He enjoys cooking vegetables from his garden, especially onions, greens and tomatoes. Despite his passion, he eats only once a day and consumes meat only every few weeks. When winter comes and the gardening business slows down, you can bet that Nick will be traveling and otherwise keeping busy with one or all of his many avocations. |