Holly Hallesy - October 2023

In 2000, a social scientist named Robert Putnam wrote the book Bowling Alone. In it, he elucidates the decline of civic associations in America, including participation in clubs, church functions, and, yes, bowling leagues. The relationships that are formed from involvement in community or group activities create what’s called “social capital” and, apart from immediate family, it serves as the best safety-net a person can have in times of trouble. This is why one of Watered Gardens’ core values is Relationship. 

We work hard at building real relationships with guests and clients at the mission. For people like Holly, it matters. She became homeless not because of addiction or bad decisions, but a combination of losing her dad when she was a child and then her mom when she was a young adult. With no social support system otherwise, the loss of a job during the pandemic was all it took to land her on the streets. Since then, we’ve been able to build a stronger support system around Holly, and it’s been life-changing. 

“I would pick Watered Gardens over any other place I could go. The amount of love I’ve gotten here is just insane. I’m surrounded by people who truly support me—want me to be better. Many people in our community assume that homelessness is always an addiction issue, but for a lot of people, that’s not the case. I’ve never taken drugs. I just got stuck, was alone, didn’t know what to do, and couldn’t do it on my own. I needed friendships, mentors—sisters—and I’ve found them here.”

Every person is meant to be with another. That’s the resolve that accompanies our core value of Relationship. Thank you for your support. I hope you're blessed to know that your support does more than address issues of material poverty; it’s building social capital for people like Holly, who will soon move on from Watered Gardens but not without the social capital she needs.