Mrs. Myers has always been surrounded by plants. Her parents had the gift of nurturing gardens, and though she admired their skills, gardening never called to her. That changed after she moved to Atlanta. In search of a way to manage stress, her husband introduced her to a community garden near a local gym. From the moment she began working with the soil, she was hooked. Gardening became a source of healing for her—mentally, spiritually, and emotionally. It gave her a deeper connection with nature, while the joy of feeding her family from the food she grew brought a profound sense of peace and fulfillment.

Despite the personal peace she found through gardening, Mrs. Myers couldn’t ignore the pain in her hometown of Macon, GA—specifically the Fort Hill neighborhood where she grew up. Violence had become a devastating norm. Every few weeks, she would hear tragic news: another family member, friend, or former classmate had been injured or lost their life to senseless violence, often young people under the age of 25.

The turning point came one night when Mrs. Myers received a heart-wrenching call. Her sister-in-law, who was home from college, had been struck by a stray bullet at a party. This vibrant, intelligent, and caring young woman—a small business owner with so much promise—was now fighting to walk again. While this event shook Mrs. Myers deeply, it was not the first tragedy her family had endured. She realized that if she didn’t act, she would be silently accepting the violence that plagued her community. It was then that she decided it was time to be part of the solution.

From this moment of reflection and resolve, Grow Macon Inc. was born.

Grow Macon is more than a community initiative; it’s a call to action. Inspired by her own healing journey through gardening, Mrs. Myers wanted to create a space where others, especially the youth of Macon, could find the same solace. Gardening provides a way to heal, not just individually, but as a community. She believes that when individuals begin to heal, the bonds within the community will strengthen, and true change can begin.

At Grow Macon, the focus is on empowering people—one garden, one seed, and one harvest at a time. Mrs. Myers' goal is to create opportunities for growth and healing in her community, offering a path away from violence and toward a brighter, more sustainable future.

As Audrey Hepburn beautifully said, “To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow.”