A Note from President and Founder
Nada Cory
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Dear friends and “Gardens of Hope” family,
Our summer has long gone here in southern Florida, and the new school year has begun. We hope everyone enjoyed some well-deserved relaxation, and ready for an amazing Ready, Set, Grow! season.
Thanks to your support, we have selected 5 new school garden sites from an extensive list of applicants, and now is the push for getting them prepared and organized for a whole year of learning, nutrition, and fun. Although highlighted and awarded many times over, we would like to say congratulations again to our existing Gardens of Hope (GOH) team leaders, who demonstrated good stewardship, necessary for being a GOH recipient. Please email the foundation if you would like to be on the January notice for the 2026/2027 GOH grant application.
Within this and future newsletters, take note of the events and workshops to get you growing, cooking, inspired, and better understanding of the importance of outdoor garden classrooms, healthy eating, and optimal health; mind, body, and spirit.
Each one of you can be an integral part of our programs and philanthropy by becoming a volunteer, community partner, Gardens of Hope sponsor, or donor. We cannot do it alone and are asking for your assistance. If you are inspired by all our work and progress or agree student/community health is a key component to one's healthier future, please come forward and ensure the attainment of our outreach.
We know you don’t always have the time, but we know you have the HEART.
In good health,
Nada
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October is not only the start of Gardens of Hope, but marks the beginning of visits to schools and parks and recreation by the foundation educators. All twelve months of the year are devoted to planning, funding, opening and closing gardens, cleaning, propagating, growing, and tending.
The calendar below is a glimpse of what classes are to expect, followed by some photos of real-time work being carried out by teachers, students, and volunteers.
We invite you to join us in a classroom; your heart will melt. Just call and we will arrange an opportunity. If parks are your jam or working with veterans is important to you, we will make time for you to join us.
| | The life cycle of Gardens of Hope in the classroom | | | |
Stage 1 - Transforming Dollars into Dining!
A fallow field or the side of a school building becomes a food forest, an outdoor classroom, and an opportunity to bring about changes in student knowledge, attitudes and behaviors. We invite you to join us as the year bursts into color, with herbs, vegetables, and smiles!
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Stage 2 - Clean up
After a long hot summer, it is necessary to clear away all the weeds and useless matter. Repairs need to be made, new beds take form, and soil is replenished and amended.
| Iguanas love our salad buffets! Installing safe environmentally friendly netting makes everyone happy: Except for the iguanas. | These three Choice Academy students participated last year in our program, they eagerly await joining Gardens of Hope once again. | | Thanks to volunteers, the work gets done in a quick and professional manner. | | |
Stage 3 - Seeds and seedlings take root
During August, students start growing seeds inside. By late September, they are ready to be planted in their garden beds.
Plumosa School of the Arts K-8 are seen bringing organic seedlings to their garden that were just delivered.0
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Stage 4 - Students engage
Joseph P Cory educators visit Gardens of Hope classrooms each month. Teachers receive a toolbox with a PPT and supplementary worksheets and posters prior to their arrival: Enough to teach lessons on their own until the following visit.
| Students take to the garden and examine the parts of the plants. Later, they draw their observations and will predict and measure growth during the month. A shout out to our three Gardens of Hope teachers at Loxahatchee Groves Elementary. | | | | Sample Toolboxes for other lessons, newsletters, and opportunities below. | | | |
Honor someone special and grow healthy lives.
Donate $100 or more in honor/memory of a loved one, and aluminum signage will be created and placed in one of our Gardens of Hope. This one shown, commemorates the life of Scott Meier, a man who loved kids and donated his time to build projects that enhanced their lives. It will be placed at the Hidden Oaks K-8 campus in Boynton Beach. This Garden of Hope project, is a Joseph P Cory foundation/Home Depot collaboration.
Donate here. Simply make your secure donation, pull down the tab and select In memory/honor of, continue to check out and add the honoree in the note section provided. If you prefer, you may email the foundation and tell us the name and something special about your honoree.
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Partnering for Success
Looking forward to a brighter 2025/2026, thanks to our amazing partners, sponsors, ad donors.
| | Nada will be speaking at 3:00 PM in the PGA Marriott Jupiter Beach room. Join her and learn about events and programs that will impact and inspire your mind, body, and spirit! | |
The Newest Bo and Dona Book is Out!
Bo and Dona live in a place where nature is their playground and family is everything.
See how they tune in to the sights, sounds, and inspirations around them, and where their adventures take them next.
Click on the QR code for a quick Amazon link. 100% of the proceeds from this book go towards supporting the mission and programs of the Joseph P Cory Foundation.
| | | Gardening Help for Success | | |
Seed Exchanges
Check your social media channels. There are lots of people who like to swap seeds. Also, social activities surrounding seed exchanging are popular, you never know what relationship may "grow" during one of these opportunities!
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Please Note: All medical information/nutritional content is compiled from affiliates and experts in their fields and is not meant to treat or replace the advice of your healthcare professional. The Joseph P Cory Foundation provides guidelines and suggestions that align with our mission: Empowering people and communities to achieve wellness
and well-being through education, expertise, and guidance. Nada Cory/the Joseph P Cory Foundation does not receive compensation for recommendations and affiliate links.
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