As the president and CEO of the nonprofit Children’s Harbor, Tiffani Dhooge is all too familiar with the occasional struggles her organization faces for resources, assistance and even cold, hard cash.
So, when Juan Carlos Gutierrez and his teammates from the Fort Lauderdale, Fla., branch of LandCare came calling with an offer to help renovate the landscaping around Children’s Harbor’s campus in Pembroke Pines, Fla., she accepted the offer with open arms and a grateful heart.
“We’re so used to piecing things together with limited resources that the idea of someone offering such a generous gift — without strings attached — felt almost too good to be true,” Dhooge says. “Once we realized the sincerity of the offer, the excitement and appreciation quickly took over.”
Gutierrez, the general manager at the Fort Lauderdale branch, and his team have a long history of giving back to the community through volunteer work. Previously, they’ve tackled projects revitalizing local parks and have assisted with lawn care needs in struggling neighborhoods.
Looking for its next philanthropic endeavor, Gutierrez’s branch administrator came across Children’s Harbor — a child welfare organization with a mission to provide safe harbor and support to at-risk children and youth — and its campus in South Florida. It turned out to be a perfect fit.
“Knowing the challenges Children’s Harbor faces in providing a nurturing environment for children, we wanted to create a space that felt welcoming and beautiful,” Gutierrez says. “Landscaping can have a profound impact on mental well-being, and I hoped to bring a sense of peace and joy to the children and staff.”
Before the LandCare team stepped in, Dhooge described the landscaping on the campus as “functional but uninspiring.”
“We work hard to create a space that feels as much like home as we can possibly make it, but the grounds didn’t really reflect that,” she said. “It was missing the personality and care that our mission embodies.”
So, Gutierrez and nine of his LandCare teammates went to work. Their efforts focused on improving plantings around the main entrance to the campus and along the pathways that lead to each home on the property. They also added several hardscaping elements, installed new garden beds and refreshed several existing ones. And in addition to the initial work, Gutierrez has committed LandCare to periodic visits to focus on regular maintenance, monitoring plant health and making any adjustments that might be necessary.
Dhooge says the results have been a game-changer for Children’s Harbor.
“Staff and residents alike have commented on how much brighter and more welcoming the campus feels. The teens have even said it makes the campus feel more like a home rather than just a facility, which is exactly what we aim for. It’s amazing how something like landscaping can lift everyone’s spirits and give a sense of pride in where they live and work,” she says.
Gutierrez has received plenty of kudos for the work. “The staff and residents at Children’s Harbor have expressed their gratitude and delight at the transformation,” he says. “It’s heartwarming to see how much the new landscaping has brightened their days and provided a sense of pride in their surroundings.”
The personal rewards haven’t been bad, either.
“This experience has been incredibly rewarding for me personally,” Gutierrez says. “Seeing the joy and appreciation from the children and staff has been the greatest reward. I’m most proud of the positive impact we’ve made on their daily lives and the sense of community we’ve fostered through our work.”
“The landscaping has been a visible reminder of the care and support our community provides for these kids,” Dhooge adds. “When teens come to us after experiencing unimaginable trauma, every detail matters in helping them feel safe, loved and valued. Juan Carlos’ work has created an environment where healing feels possible, and that absolutely contributes to our mission.”
Editor’s note: “Time for some good news” is a new feature that will spotlight some of the good deeds, great people and positive stories in the landscape industry. If you have your own good news to share, reach out to either Seth Jones at sjones@northcoastmedia.net or Scott Hollister at shollister@northcoastmedia.net.
