Aaron's Acres isn't intentionally and deliberately expanding. But by responding to the needs of the community, Aaron's Acres is growing organically.

One of its newer programs, Kindness Konnections, is taking a different approach to giving back to the same community that Aaron's Acres is already serving.

"I like the phrase 'natural evolution,'" said Madison Heider, the program coordinator at Aaron's Acres. "We've had discussions about how this program can continue to grow. There's a need for it in the community. I think it's a natural progression of Aaron's Acres mission to support participants in our community."

Located at 1861 Charter Lane, Suite 114, Lancaster, Aaron's Acres serves and enriches the lives of children and young adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities. A community service group, Kindness Konnections works with other local nonprofits to provide participants ages 22 to 40 opportunities to work in the community, explore new social skills in new settings and elevate confidence levels.

"Our group is getting together, and we're giving back to the community," said Heider. "It's a way for our participants to get out there and do something meaningful. It's a new expression of our programs. We reach out to organizations and go out and do some work."

Aaron's Acres offers its Kindness Konnections program twice a year, once in the spring and once in the fall. Both sessions are eight weeks in length, and the group meets to perform tasks and work together on Mondays from 1 to 3 p.m.

The spring 2026 session of Kindness Konnections began on Feb. 2, and the fall session will commence on Monday, Oct. 5.

"We're trying to create an inclusive experience," said Heider. "We're meeting at different locations and doing the work at (nonprofits') locations. We're open to any kind of work. But we've found that assembly-line-like work is the most successful."

"Communications are absolutely a form of kindness," added Heider. "Just giving back in any way is kindness. Personally, I think kindness is so important. It can change so many things in the world."

At this point, participants in the Kindness Konnections program have engaged in work at Girls on the Run, the local Power Packs Project and Lafayette Fire Company. The workers have also cleaned at the North Museum of Nature and Science and the local Lives Changed By Christ (LCBC) and have assisted with a large mailing project for Servant Stage.

"We hope (participants) are getting some social skills and connecting with people," said Heider. "Just completing a task can be super special. We're hoping these experiences could lead to opportunities outside of our organization. Overall, being in different settings allows them to learn what other organizations do for others."

An extension of an Aaron's Acres' summer camp program, Kindness Konnections was established in the fall of 2024 to serve the families of two individuals. Currently, eight participants ages 22 to 40 are enrolled in the program.

The participants reside in Manheim, Mount Joy, Elizabethtown, Jonestown, Berks County and Dauphin County.

"(The participants are) Aaron's Acres' heart," said Heider. "They're just looking for connections. They're our friends. It's generally just such a community who goes out with us."

"To me, the best part is seeing participants reacting to their abilities," added Heider, "and finding out what they can do and how much they can do. That and the connections they make. Just seeing what can be accomplished is my favorite part."

The Kindness Konnections program maintains a 1-to-4 staff-to-participant ratio.

"Our numbers are always dependent on staffing," said Heider. "If our participants' number would go higher than eight, we'd have to hire another staff member."

As program director, Heider assumes the lead for the Kindness Konnections program. She is assisted by counselor Hayley Wilson.

"In this population, (a staff member's role) is a lot more guidance and oversight," said Heider. "We're doing more modeling. We're always there to support in that capacity. Our role is always just to be there. Most of the work is done entirely by the participants. They're doing their job and we're doing our job, and that's what makes it complete."

In addition to the Kindness Konnections initiative, Aaron's Acres also sponsors summer camps for children and adults with disabilities; The Social Scene; the Chuckie Magee Flag Football and Cheerleading League; a spring sports program; Dramability; and family classes that offer activities in fitness, art and cooking.

For additional information, go to https://aaronsacres.org.