All Things Grow With Love - DeeMarie's Hope Garden

DeeMarie’s Hope Garden transplanted to KCB’s Office

“Even if I knew that tomorrow the world would go to pieces, I would still plant my apple tree.” Martin Luther

In our deepest sorrows, the last thing we think to do is plant a garden. When life has us at our lowest, mentally, emotionally, and physically distressed, we feel hopeless and unable to inspire. This is not so for a friend of Kingdom Causes Bellflower named DeeMarie.  At a time when she was despised, rejected, cast off as an addict and homeless, DeeMarie made her way into a Bellflower AM/PM and planted a garden, the Hope Garden. With courage, she asked the local business owners if she could sow some seeds, place plants (some from her and some from other homeless neighbors) and a few cute signs in the dirt patch outside where local homeless neighbors hang out. DeeMarie herself would often stay near this AM/PM and sweep the sidewalk, she had gained the respect of the workers, local homeless neighbors and law enforcement. This garden began more than five years ago.  It was in Hope Garden that DeeMarie met our very own staff member Becky. The two developed a relationship of trust that would lead Dee on her journey towards healing and housing through case management services at KCB. DeeMarie wanted to inspire and bring hope to her friends and people who she knew needed it the most. 

Flash forward to 2019 and DeeMarie has transplanted her Hope Garden to the front of the Kingdom Causes Bellflower office. DeeMarie has now celebrated over one year of sobriety, a restored relationship with her mother, and a close connection with God and her local church family at Hosanna Christian Fellowship. DeeMarie’s Hope Garden represents so much of her own personal growth and it stands as a beacon of light and love to people who are struggling. With the turning of seasons the leaves of the plants in Hope Garden extend and stretch to cover the dirt, revealing beauty and transformation.  With the turning of the seasons, the people touched by DeeMarie and Kingdom Causes come forth to reveal the beauty that a little hope can bring. We honor DeeMarie’s Hope Garden as a beautiful reminder of the power of hope.

By Marley Penalosa