Carolina Farms
On June 2, 2003 GHA Autism Supports began construction on Carolina Farms, a new and innovative program in Albemarle, North Carolina designed to enable additional individuals from the autism community to realize a dream of residing in a farming environment in beautiful Stanly County.
Carolina Farms was initially developed in three phases, with the final phase being completed in November 2005. Each phase involved the construction of a six-bed group home along with additional facilities that encompass the vocational aspects of life on the farm. Additional facilities for the Farm include a multi-purpose building, barn, two greenhouses, therapeutic riding ring, recreational track and swimming pool.
In 2009, GHA Autism Supports was fortunate to have a 20’x 40’ 3-foot deep swimming pool constructed and donated by Hudson Pools, as well as a security fence installed by Forrest Fence Company at the Carolina Farms facility. With a general operating schedule of early June through early September, individuals and support staff from every home in the Stanly County have enjoyed countless hours of fun in the sun swimming and splashing on hot summer days. To ensure safety along with the fun, all staff members accompanying individuals to the pool must hold an American Red Cross Basic Water Rescue Certification. GHA’s swimming pool has been used for parties, picnics and other special events over the years, and is a valuable asset to the agency and all of the people served.
Carolina Farms Home #3 houses a commercial kitchen that is utilized by all of the homes to make or bake and enjoy all sorts of goodies and treats, including birthday cupcakes for lots of celebrations! Everyone works together to complete various steps in the baking or making processes, and GHA support staff work closely with the residents, to ensure proper hygiene, as well as safe and appropriate kitchen and cooking practices are learned and followed.
Grants and donations were secured from numerous sources in all planning phases of Carolina Farms including the following:
- Albemarle Rotary Club
- Cannon Foundation
- The Duke Endowment
- Fiddle Foundation
- The Graves Family
- Home Depot Foundation
- Jack Fanning Memorial Foundation
- Mrs. Diane K. Howard
- Hudson Fence Supply
- Hudson Pools
- Jeff Shaver & Sons LLC
- Kate B. Reynolds Foundation
- Speedway Children’s Charities
- Stanly County Community Foundation
Contact Us
Physical Address:
213 N. Second Street, Albemarle, NC 28001
Mailing Address:
PO Box 2487, Albemarle, NC 28002
Wilmington Office:
PO Box 4122, Wilmington, NC 28406
Phone: (704) 982-9600
Fax: (704) 982-8155
Wilmington:
Phone: (910) 769-1046
Fax: (910) 399-1780
GHA Autism Supports is licensed by the Division of Health Service Regulation of the North Carolina Department of Human Resources. In addition, GHA Autism Supports is nationally accredited by Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF). ICF/IID homes are certified by the North Carolina Division of Medical Assistance. GHA Autism Supports is a member of the North Carolina Association of Community-Based ICF/IID and CAP providers and the North Carolina Providers Council.
In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, religion, sex, familial status, sexual orientation, and reprisal. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs).