IN West Allegheny Summer 2019 | Page 18

Wisteria vine in front of Pap’s Garden, where the mission began. relatives, friends, or neighbors. Caregiving can include personal care, physical help, emotional or social support, behavioral support, assistance with activities of daily living, assistance accessing services, and financial help. “After my father’s passing, I felt the need to support caregivers in any way I could,” says Story. “I realized if caregiving affected me to the degree it did, even with all of my experience as a counselor, it had to be affecting others the same way, if not more. My choice to use therapeutic gardening combined with counseling was the culmination of my true passions and a dream I had—an actual dream where I saw my dad’s face smiling through the sun, and when I woke I said, ‘Hope Grows.’ It could not have been any clearer and was the exact message I needed to begin supporting the wonderful caregiver community.” To learn more about Hope Grows, including services, events, and how you can help, visit hopegrows.net. n Caregivers relaxing during a “Take a Break” session. 16 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE ❘ icmags.com