HOLLAND, Mich. — A Holland nonprofit is going to host a fall festival this upcoming weekend.
Benjamin's Hope's 13th annual Harvest Festival will be held on Saturday, Sept. 28 from 3 to 6 p.m. at 15468 Riley Street in Holland.
The nonprofit was co-founded by Krista and Dave Mason to support people with developmental differences and give them a sense of community.
The free event is open to people of all abilities and will feature live music, hayrides, a train show, games, food, first responder vehicles, alpacas and bunnies.
Visitors can park at West Ottawa's Great Lakes Elementary off 152nd Avenue and take a free wheelchair-accessible shuttle to Benjamin's Hope.
"The thing that I especially love about the harvest festival is it's really a time that's designed for people of all abilities you don't see too often in our community," Krista said. "Places where people with and without disability are really, really engaged and it's just delightful."
When Krista and Dave's son, Ben, was 10 years old, he had an autism diagnosis that included nonverbal communication.
The Masons were inspired by a desire to help their son find a sense of belonging.
So, they began to research the best way to open an adult foster care nonprofit for people with autism and other intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Now, Ben is 29 years old and his parents have worked to create a place for him and others to thrive.
The organization offers a neighborhood that 30 adults with developmental differences call home and is a gathering place for the community.
"I think we want to create here at Ben's Hope, whether it's the festival or the church of Ben's Hope, or any number of our programs, we want to create that place that feels embracing to all people," Krista said.
She said she hopes that visiting families know they have a place they can come for a sense of togetherness and community.
"I want people, individuals, families, to know that there's a place here in Michigan where they are seen and valued and welcomed," Krista said.
