If We Plant It, They Will Come!

Homelessness steals from families. It steals their stability and their peace of mind. It steals childhoods full of fun and happy memories.

But at Home of Hope, we’re helping families leave homelessness — and hopelessness — in the past. 

This season, beautiful things are happening on our campus, not just in the hearts of the families served but also in the Home of Hope garden!

In years past, Home of Hope’s garden had been tended by master gardeners from the Gwinnett County Master Gardeners Association, but more recently, the garden needed some additional loving care!

Sharon Palmer, a local master gardener, is also a member of the Trillium Garden Club of Georgia. The newly formed nonprofit organization was seeking local gardens that were missing some love and care. That’s when a friend from Sharon’s church mentioned Home of Hope.

Home of Hope’s mission immediately resonated with Sharon.

“Why not support a nonprofit that’s teaching women to become independent?” Sharon said. “Growing up, I saw how [cycles] are perpetuated until somebody stands up and says, ‘No more.’ That’s what spoke to me about this project.

“[Executive Director] Maureen [Kornowa and the Home of Hope team] are teaching mothers how to fish instead of just giving them the fish.”

Once the seed was planted, a vine of partnerships began to grow! 

Sharon wrote a grant, and the Gwinnett County Master Gardeners Association awarded funds to help start the project. Then she went to the community.

“Much of what has been accomplished so far has been made possible through generous donations from Soil3, The Home Depot in Hamilton Mill and in Buford and Tractor Supply in Hamilton Mill,” Sharon explained. 

“Many of the plants we have growing in the garden are donations from Trillium members, other master gardeners and local greenhouses staffed by master gardeners.”

It’s also possible because of volunteers and master gardeners like Jody Scott, who regularly donate their time and expertise to tend the garden.

“I am a lifelong resident of Buford and live less than two miles from Home of Hope,” Jody explained. “I used to drive by and see the sign, and I did not know anything about it.”

But together, Sharon, Jody, Trillium members and local partners are transforming the garden into a flourishing and welcoming place — one where mothers and children can enjoy nature and learn! 

“We wanted to create an inviting space that would draw the moms and children into the gardens, spark curiosity and encourage them to learn more about gardening, nature and growing food,” Sharon said.

Jody added, “In today’s digital age that is so fast-paced, the simple act of gardening takes both moms and children away from that and gives them a hands-on connection to nature.”

Sharon’s hope is that the beautiful colors and plants will catch children’s attention, bringing both children and their moms into the garden. For some little ones staying at Home of Hope, picking and eating their own fruits and veggies might be a brand new experience!

“The sweetness of berries is completely different when you’re out there picking them [from the bush] on a warm morning. Or if you eat a fresh green bean off the vine, it tastes a lot different than a store-bought green bean,” Sharon explained.

“We included plants like blueberries, blackberries and strawberries. Because what kid doesn’t want to eat those off the bush?”

The garden also includes pollinators to attract colorful insects like butterflies and herbs, so families can learn about growing their food.

“It doesn’t take much to get a kid interested,” she explained. “They can take a pea seed in a Dixie cup and watch it germinate. They’re watching something they planted growing. Then in school, when they start learning about photosynthesis, they’ve already seen it!”

While Sharon is passionate about helping the next generation learn about plant growth and caring for the environment, she’s also passionate about giving back.

“My family was not a wealthy one,” she explained. “But my dad believed in giving back to the community in any way, shape or form, that you always had to give back because there was somebody more in need than you were.” 

This project won’t just require one season of work. Over the next few years, Trillium volunteers will cultivate existing plants as they take root and mature and continue adding more variety to the space. 

But even now, this beautiful plot of land is encouraging families in need. It may not put clothes on their backs or help mothers fill out a resume, but thanks to Trillium and their many partners, mothers and children are finding their wonder again.

What homelessness took from them, it couldn’t keep forever!

If you or your organization would like to support Trillium’s efforts by donating plants, soil or mulch, email Sharon and her team! Trillium is currently looking for a tree company to donate mulch from their wood chipper for the garden.