Jackie Holmes turns a junkyard into a garden

Have you ever heard of the phrase, “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade?” It means to make something good out of something bad.

In March 2020, Jackie Holmes bought a plot of land where people used to dump their broken cars and trash. Today, it’s known as San Ramon Garden. A place where kids can play and neighbors can gather for community events.

Holmes has a history of community development in Fresno. She has worked with Poverello House and California Food Bank. She helped found Fresno’s Habitat for Humanity, and she continues to work on neighborhood improvement projects with El Dorado Park Community Development Corporation (E.D.P.C.D.C.)

“Relationships are built off of individuals both giving and receiving. And that’s how the community is also built,” said Holmes. 

That inspired Farhana Weerasinghe to become part of the grass-roots work as an executive director of E.D.P.C.D.

“I could feel that strong connection that Jackie has, and I felt like she’s a great mentor for me,” said Weerasinghe.

Weerasinghe is one of many people whose life was touched by Jackie Holmes. Michael Ballin discovered that his connection to Holmes goes back to his grandparents. Through Habitat for Humanity, Holmes helped build the house that Ballin’s grandfather lived in.

“Her life affected my grandparents’ life and ultimately my parents, my life,” said Ballin. “So like, the community work that somebody does can affect multiple generations.”

Ballin later became involved in creating San Ramon Garden as part of his thesis project while earning a master’s degree in social work. Today, he is the president of El Dorado Park Community Development Corporation. He said Holmes taught him to build on the assets of community and push past perceived limitations. He brings that philosophy into his work at the Amendola Family Student Cupboard and Food Security Project at Fresno State.

“We’re all connected,” said Holmes. “Every little bit of good we do for our environment counts.”

Holmes continues to plant seeds that impact people today and future generations.

To donate gardening supplies or plants or get involved in the community, call 559-906-6822 or visit edpcdc.org.