Braddock couple creating garden to support families grieving loved ones lost to gun violence

BRADDOCK, Pa. — A new way for a community touched by gun violence to heal is starting to take root.

It’s called HOOP’s Hope Garden, and it’s a space born from pain, but the idea is to walk the path and bring light back to the families touched by gun violence.

“My wife and I lost our brothers and from that pain we came together and reached out. There are so many other families that live with this same pain and frustration of losing a loved one and know how to move forward,” Jullian Turner said.

Turner is connected with over 130 families in this community, as they all have lost a loved one due to the cycle of gun violence.

“One of the big things we want to do is reclaim our space, reclaim our neighborhoods, our kids are growing up here, our families are still living here,” Turner said.

Turner told Channel 11 that part of the healing was to create a garden space outside their building in Braddock. It’s a place that could provide a pathway for healing for the extra grief and trauma these families carry.

“The vision for the garden now is to be a whimsical path of different things that life throws at you, but on the way, there are things you can lean on for support,” Turner said.

It’s as simple as placing your loved one’s photo on a set of angel’s wings, or picking up the telephone to heaven, or picking some wildflowers to take a piece of the space home with you. All the designs being incorporated are with the help of Penn State University students and a grant to brighten a small corner of Braddock.

“A lot of families that are victims to gun violence still live here, why would they have to travel outside their community to healing, support and love. If they are here, we want to be here too,” Turner said.

The goal is to finish the garden with the students this semester and have an unveiling for the families before winter hits.

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