About Us
We believe people are made to need each other.
Garden 58 is a Christian nonprofit rooted in Cherokee County, North Carolina. We connect people who are willing to help with children, families, and women facing real needs in our community.
Our name comes from Isaiah 58—a chapter that shows what can happen when a community truly shows up for one another. Not from a distance or through a program alone, but through genuine relationships and consistent care over time. That is the kind of community we hope to help cultivate throughout Cherokee County and the surrounding areas of Western North Carolina
Our Mission
Connecting willing hands to waiting needs.
Three programs, dozens of volunteers, and years of service—all working together to live out Isaiah 58 by caring for our neighbors and strengthening our community.
A few things shape how we do it:
Faith-rooted — We’re a Christian organization, and we believe faith calls us to care for our neighbors as we would our own family.”
Relational — We don't believe in drop-in services. Every program Garden 58 runs is built on sustained, consistent relationships.
Local — Garden 58 was started here, runs here, and serves people who live here. The people doing the work are your neighbors.
Honest — We're a small organization doing real work. We'll tell you what's working, what's still being built, and where the gaps are.
Our Story
It started with people who noticed who was falling through the cracks.
Before Garden 58 was one organization, it was three ministries — each started by someone who saw a need in Cherokee County and decided to do something about it.
Pinwheel Tutoring began in 2016, putting caring volunteers alongside students who were falling behind in school. More Than Enough began in 2019 to support foster, adoptive, and kinship families through the local church. Good Ground grew from a 2020–2021 vision to walk alongside women transitioning out of crisis.
In February 2021, those programs came together as Garden 58 — an officially registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit (legal name: Garden 58 Inc). The work didn't start that year. But that's when the willing hands and waiting needs found a shared home.
Our TimelineHow we grew — one need, one season at a time.
2016 — Pinwheel Tutoring begins — one-on-one tutoring and mentoring for students who need a consistent adult in their corner
2019 — More Than Enough’s founded — mobilizing churches to support foster, adoptive, and kinship families
2020-2021 — Good Ground vision begins (formerly Revolving Door) — walking with women in transition toward stability and hope
February 2021 — Garden 58 becomes an officially registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit — three programs, one organization
Three programs. One mission. Connecting willing hands to waiting needs.
Why ‘Garden 58’
A name rooted in Isaiah 58.
Isaiah 58:11 reads: “And the Lord will guide you continually and satisfy your desire in scorched places and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.” (ESV)
The name Garden 58 points to what becomes possible when a community takes seriously its responsibility to one another — when needs are met, when people are supported, when the broken places are rebuilt. It's a vision of flourishing. And it's the standard we're working toward here.
Meet Our Executive Director
Gloria P. Dockery
Garden 58 is entering a new season of leadership with Gloria P. Dockery as Executive Director — a neighbor who has spent more than three decades investing in children, families, and the schools and churches of this community.
Gloria brings more than 30 years of experience in education, mentoring, leadership, and community service. She holds a Bachelor of Science from Western Carolina University and a Master's Degree in Early Childhood Education from Piedmont College in Demorest, Georgia.
She began her career as a Teacher Assistant while raising her family and completing her college education. She later served as an elementary school teacher and has spent many years as an online Adjunct Instructor in the Early Childhood Department at Tri-County Community College. In 2018, she joined Big Brothers Big Sisters as the Senior Program Coordinator for Cherokee County Schools, where she spent seven years partnering with schools, families, and community organizations to connect children with mentors and provide encouragement, resources, and support.
Those years reinforced what she still believes today: lasting change happens through caring relationships, early support, and communities working together. Guided by her faith — and shaped by both life's blessings and challenges — she is committed to serving others with compassion, humility, and hope.
While Gloria provides leadership for Garden 58, the true focus remains the mission. Garden 58 exists to prevent trauma through early intervention, preserve and strengthen caring homes through foster, adoptive, and family support, and provide opportunities for children, families, and adults to heal, grow, and thrive. By building meaningful relationships, connecting families with resources, and encouraging individuals through education, mentorship, and advocacy, we strive to help every person discover their God-given value, potential, and purpose.
Board of Directors
Stewarding the Mission – Garden 58 is guided by a board of community members who care deeply about children, families, and the long work of showing up for neighbors in need.
Cindy Bradshaw – Board Chair
Marilyn Wood – Vice Chair
Bo Gray – Secretary
Kate Templeton – Treasurer
Tammie Johnson – Board Member
John Ridenour – Board Member
Our Programs
Three ways we connect willing hands to waiting needs.
Pinwheel & Firefly Tutoring
Children who need consistent tutoring and mentoring
More Than Enough
Foster, adoptive, and kinship families — through the local church
Good Ground
Women in transition — mentorship, resources, and a path toward stability
Our Partners
We don't do this alone.
Garden 58's work is made possible by churches, community organizations, and individual donors who believe in what we're building in Cherokee County.
More Than Enough operates in partnership with Promise 686, a national organization that equips local communities to build Family Advocacy Ministries in churches. Through that partnership, Garden 58 brings a proven model for foster care support to our corner of Western North Carolina.
Several local churches and community partners are actively involved across our programs — through Care Communities, volunteer service, supply drives, and awareness events. We're grateful for every one of them.
We’re Responsible Stewards of What You Give
Garden 58 is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (Garden 58 Inc, registered February 2021; tax-exempt effective January 1, 2021). We take seriously our responsibility to use donor dollars well — and to be honest about where we are and where we're headed.
If you have questions about our financials or how gifts are used, we're happy to answer them. Reach out directly.
Get Involved.
Whether you're here because you need support, want to volunteer, or are wondering if your church could get involved — we'd love to talk. Garden 58 runs on relationships, and that starts with a conversation.