GUILFORD-- Roses for Autism is a non-profit organization that helps to create employment opportunities for adults with Autism.
The adults help grow, cut and package flowers in one of the largest heated greenhouse in America, located on Pinchbeck Farm in Guilford, and the organization provides meaningful employment for individuals with autism. Roses for Autism also provides career training and mentorship to transition students just graduating.
This week, the group is really getting their hands dirty; they are taking their prized "Lavande" Roses and are using them to grow a new business endeavor.
Fourteen interns, all with some form of autism, are busy cutting roses to create Ardent Rose, a new perfume created specifically to help fund their program.
"We wanted to take the scent of this flower and create a perfume so people can enjoy it every day, year round," said Michelle Ouimette, the managing director at Roses for Autism.
Shantell Moore, one of the interns who was busy wrapping the perfume in its decorative packaging, said of the Roses for Autism program, "It's a really good experience, it also helps people and makes people happy."
Fellow intern Vanessa Vioude added, "I think it's amazing."
Ardent Rose will launch on March 31. The new fragrance -- which is bottled in Danbury -- has an introductory price of about $40 per bottle. To buy a bottle, click here.