Planting with a purpose: Team Friends chapters unite to beautify a spot in Indiana Township

Two chapters of the nonprofit Team Friends met Monday, June 2, at the corner of Route 910 and Saxonburg Boulevard in Indiana Township for a special monthly gathering.

Members from the Armstrong County chapter joined the Allegheny County founding chapter to plant flowers at the busy intersection, which is one of 130 gardens maintained by the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy throughout the region.

“It’s another way for us to give back to the community. So many of our members enjoy the group interaction, and it’s great for our members to do something meaningful,” said Susan Cataldi, founder of Team Friends and a former teacher of 25 years in the Fox Chapel Area School District.

The conservancy will be adding the group’s name to its sign later this month.

“They couldn’t get our name on the sign in time for our event on June 2, but our logo will be added to their sign by the end of June,” Cataldi said.

She and her husband, Ted, were instrumental in establishing the organization that helps adults with intellectual disabilities stay social after high school.

Team Friends, which is marking its 10th anniversary this year, also includes parents, family members, friends and typical peers. There currently are four chapters, one each in Allegheny, Westmoreland, Armstrong and Indiana counties.

“My husband, Ted, is really the one behind the scenes that has been so very helpful with growing our organization to what it is today,” Cataldi said.

Team Friends could soon be adding a fifth chapter.

“We haven’t disclosed where the next chapter will open, but we are hoping it’s in another state. There is such a need for this and in areas outside of the city it’s even more necessary,” Cataldi said.

Many of the group’s members live in suburban or rural areas where they don’t have the ability to stay in contact with friends and often are limited by a lack of public transportation, she said.

With little to no resources available for adults with intellectual disabilities to interact with others after high school, Team Friends has a waiting list of counties that want to open chapters, but it currently lacks the funding. Lawrence, Beaver and Jefferson counties are all looking to join Team Friends, Cataldi said.

“Opening a chapter costs roughly $5,000, and all of our money is raised through donations and our annual fundraising events,” Cataldi said.

Team Friends gives family members and friends the opportunity to learn from one another.

Lindi Bricker of Freeport attended the gathering with her 24-year-old daughter, Rachel.

“It’s really great, and everyone is so welcoming,” said Lindi, who drove in from the Armstrong County chapter for the day’s event.

“I just love the field trips,” Rachel said.

Other members of the group were enjoying the warm weather and a day of gardening.

Matt Scott, 48, of Fox Chapel said he loves gardening at his house so the community planting event was a lot of fun.

“Caring and sharing life together” is the motto of Team Friends, and businesses such as Eichenlaub Landscaping of Cheswick understand the impact these types of organizations have on individuals and the community.

Eichenlaub Landscaping provided the tools and equipment for the planting and even sent employees to help.

“It’s important to us to help. This is our second year doing this with Team Friends, and it’s a great experience,” said Ryan Hanley, general manager at Eichenlaub.

In 2020, the Residential Information Systems Project at the University of Minnesota estimated there were 8.38 million people with intellectual disabilities in the United States. Of those, 44% were adults.

“There is a huge need for what we do. I can’t express how important it is for these adults to have this interaction with one another,” Cataldi said.

Team Friends works closely with human service agencies. When a new chapter is formed, the local human service agency will select a “head coach.” The head coach plans and coordinates the monthly activities from start to finish.

Although philanthropic projects are normally the primary reason for meeting each month, the organization believes in “breaking bread” together so each event either starts or ends with a meal.

“It’s a time for fun and fellowship,” Cataldi said.

For more information about Team Friends, visit teamfriends.org.