Hope Garden

Melinda, a former resident, recently purchased a bench in the David & Margaret Hope Garden and sent us this note to share. “The reason I got the bench was because I wanted to leave a lasting mark of Vivian and I being there, and a symbol of the mark that David & Margaret - 'the Home,' as we used to call it - left on us. It was a safe haven for us.

In 1968, we would walk around the circular drive way arm-in-arm, two deeply disturbed teenage girls, talking about what we wanted to do when we got out. We would lay on that very lawn and talk about our dreams and hopes for our lives as we watched the breeze rustling the leaves on the trees that are still there today.

In 2009, we came back for the first time in 41 years and as we walked around the circular driveway again, arm in arm, we spoke about when we were 15 and 16 and walked the same walk and how much 'The Home' meant to us now. So the bench is really a symbol of leaving our mark for all to see, and also the mark that David & Margaret has left on us.”

The Hope Garden serves two purposes: to provide a meditation, reflection and prayer garden for residents, alumni and community visitors, and; be a place where you can create a lasting contribution in your name, your family’s name or business that can be viewed and preserved as part of your ongoing support of the mission of David & Margaret Youth and Family Services. It is located immediately inside the front gate on the main campus at David & Margaret Youth and Family Services and includes the newly remodeled agency sign by Permeco, Inc. of La Verne.