At Magdala House, we believe everyone deserves to feel seen, valued, and rooted in a space that feels like home. That belief came to life during our second annual “A Day of Caring: Planting Seeds of Hope”—a community beautification project designed to bring life, dignity, and care to the spaces our clients and tenants occupy every day. The day began bright and early on a Friday morning—during a heat wave, no less—but that didn’t stop the energy or excitement. Across both sites, hands were ready, hearts were full, and the vision was clear: to transform ordinary spaces into places of peace and pride.
This year, the event blossomed across two of our program sites: Tiny Homes and the Adult Day Care Program. Though our Day Program clients don’t live on-site, it’s where they spend their weekdays—laughing, learning, and connecting. So we treat those spaces with the same care and intention we give to any home, because every corner of Magdala should feel like a place of belonging.
At Tiny Homes, the delivery of four large cedar planters, ten small cedar containers, and a raised bed for vegetable gardening set things in motion. Tenants and staff wasted no time—they unpacked the supplies together, collaborating on where the planters should go, visualizing layouts, and creating small moments of shared joy.
For many, this was their very first time gardening. But that didn’t stop them—if anything, it lit a spark. Clients asked questions, watched closely, and mimicked staff with care and confidence. There was no hesitation—just a willingness to learn something new and a quiet joy in doing it together.
One tenant paused, looking at the vibrant colors in his hands, and smiled.
“This day reminds me of my grandmother,” he said.
“I felt like a seasoned man planting flowers. It brought back wonderful memories of her in her garden.”
Moments like these remind us that healing often starts with connection, and sometimes that connection is rooted in the earth.
Meanwhile, across town at the Adult Day Care Program, curiosity blossomed into action. Clients gathered near the entrance, drawn to the planting stations set up outside. With support from staff and occupational therapists, clients rolled up their sleeves—literally—and got to work.
Two of our male clients eagerly stepped forward, asking questions and offering to help. As they dug and patted down the soil around blooming marigolds and petunias, their pride became palpable. Four large planters and smaller containers near the building’s doorways were filled with life and love.
Every client had the opportunity to plant a flower and take it home—a small symbol of care they could nurture on their own.
“It’s powerful to see staff and clients working together—hands in the dirt, hearts aligned—made possible by generous donors who care deeply about the well-being of our community,” said CEO Thomas J. Mangogna.
Help More Moments Like This Bloom
Your support creates spaces of beauty, belonging, and healing.
If this story moved you, help us keep planting hope:
Every flower, every smile, and every step forward starts with someone like you.
