Local nonprofit Achievement House hosted the Harvest Festival for the first time on Oct. 26, bringing together staff, volunteers and community members for a fall celebration.
Held at the Achievement House grounds behind Cuesta College, this festival honored the work of their employees and celebrated the fall season. Achievement House provides employment opportunities for intellectually and physically disabled adults, said Michael Grindstaff, Achievement House vocational case coordinator.
Students from the Cuesta College psychology program volunteered to help put on the Harvest Festival. The event featured live music, a pumpkin patch, candy fishing games, a cake walk and a variety of creative workshops.
Achievement House received a donation of Halloween decorations from the Morro Bay Police Department, said Nicholas Leipman, job coach at Achievement House.
Visitors had the chance to participate in a succulent pumpkin workshop where they glued succulents to pumpkins to create spooky designs.
“They made it fun for us today,” attendee Rebekah Cook said. “Picking out pumpkins has been my favorite, and I can’t wait for the balloon artist.”
For Allyce Dokubo, a psychology tech student at Cuesta College who volunteered at the Harvest Festival, being a part of their community is deeply rewarding.
“Seeing the young kids and older adults able to express themselves and feel comfortable was the best part of the Harvest Festival,” Dokubo said.
Case Coordinator Elias Cate ran the cake walk during the event.
“My favorite part about Achievement House is the mission—empowering people with disabilities to live the life they want to live,” Cate said. “Achievement House is person-centered, prioritizing the people in the community.”
Groundskeeping Job Coach Riley Maeder said the Harvest Festival is all about celebrating the community.
“The best part about [Harvest Festival] is having fun and putting a smile on other people’s faces,” Maeder said. “Not a lot of people know about us or our mission.”