We’re a small team with big ideas and a passion for inclusion and education.

Two people are working together in a garden, filling a raised bed with dark soil. The woman in the foreground is smiling and holding a shovel, while the man behind her is also shoveling soil. The garden beds are made from corrugated metal and wood, and are surrounded by a wooden fence. The background shows a house and outdoor tools.

The Board

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  • Lori Suggs serves as Chairwoman of Giving Hope Gardens, where she facilitates the work of the board and supports daily operations. She is passionate about creating a safe, welcoming environment where adults with disabilities can work, grow, and thrive.

    Lori brings a strong background in education to the organization. She holds bachelor’s degrees in Elementary Education and Early Childhood Education, as well as a master’s degree in Special Education. She is a National Board Certified Teacher and a 2012 graduate of South Carolina’s Partners in Policymaking program.

    At Giving Hope Gardens, Lori especially enjoys volunteering at the nursery, where she finds the work both meaningful and therapeutic.

    Outside of her work with Giving Hope Gardens, Lori enjoys reading, spending time with her grandchildren, singing in a band, and practicing karate.

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  • Kim brings two decades of dedication to education and special needs communities to the Giving Hope Gardens board. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Special Education, a Master's in Educational Leadership, and is a National Board Certified Teacher — credentials earned across 20 years in the classroom as a Special Education teacher.

    As Board Secretary, Kim supports GHG's mission alongside the Program Director, helping ensure the organization's work reaches those who need it most. She is deeply passionate about serving Special Population communities, and away from the board table you'll find her cheering on her boys at band performances and sporting events.

    When asked what she loves most about Giving Hope Gardens, Kim's answer is simple: hope and growth — two things this garden offers in abundance.

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  • Bridgett Fowler serves as an Emeritus Board Member of Giving Hope Gardens, where she supports the organization through fundraising, grant writing, and volunteering with the program’s interns. She especially enjoys working with the interns and helping advance the mission of creating meaningful opportunities for adults with disabilities.

    Bridgett is a seasoned paralegal with more than 25 years of experience in land planning, zoning, finance, and compliance. Her work includes commercial real estate transactions, abstracting, and managing complex deals while navigating municipal regulations and compliance requirements. She has also assisted municipalities with regulatory protocols and has trained attorneys in real estate financing, title work, and closings.

    In addition to her professional work, Bridgett is an active community leader who has served in several volunteer leadership roles, including Clerk of the Session and Elder at First Presbyterian Church and Board Chair of Coastal High School. She currently serves as Board Chair for the Limestone Charter Association, a South Carolina charter school authorizer.

    Bridgett and her husband live on their family farm in Loris, South Carolina. She enjoys spending time with her four children and four grandchildren and remains deeply committed to community service.

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  • Terry W. Fowler serves as Vice Chair of the Board at Giving Hope Gardens, where he assists with facilities and enjoys working alongside the program’s interns. He is passionate about supporting the organization’s mission to serve families and strengthen the community.

    Terry retired from the Horry County Police Department after 29 years of dedicated service protecting and serving his community. Following his law enforcement career, he began working as a Regional Manager for Velocity Rail, where he continues to lead with integrity and strong operational expertise.

    A committed community member, Terry is an active member of First Presbyterian Church and volunteers with several local nonprofit organizations. He especially enjoys the opportunity to work with the interns at Giving Hope Gardens and be part of the positive impact the organization makes.

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  • Michael Cavallini is a Founder of Giving Hope Gardens and serves as a member of its Board of Directors. He is passionate about the organization’s mission and helping create opportunities for growth and independence for the individuals the program serves.

    Michael has a background in education as a teacher and coach, bringing a strong commitment to mentorship, leadership, and community involvement.

    In his free time, Michael enjoys golfing, fishing, and participating in church activities. He takes great pride in being part of Giving Hope Gardens and supporting the meaningful opportunities it provides for those involved.

Logo of Giving Hope Gardens featuring a stylized dandelion with some seeds blowing away, and the text 'Giving Hope Gardens' curved around it.

  • Amy Cox serves as a Board Member of Giving Hope Gardens, where she volunteers her time and assists with bookkeeping. She enjoys supporting the organization’s mission and helping ensure its programs run smoothly.

    Amy is a retired educator from Horry County Schools and brings years of experience in education and service to the community.

    In her free time, Amy enjoys spending time with her granddaughter and gardening. She especially enjoys being part of Giving Hope Gardens and seeing how happy and engaged the interns are while working at the nursery.

A police officer speaking to a group of children in front of a sheriff's police car with its trunk open, in a parking lot with other vehicles in the background.

  • Sean Montgomery Fowler serves as a Board Member of Giving Hope Gardens, where he helps with upkeep at the gardens and assists with fundraising efforts. Having been involved with the organization since its beginning, Sean is deeply committed to its mission and outreach.

    A graduate of Presbyterian College, Sean continues his commitment to service as a Lieutenant in the United States National Guard. He also serves as a Deputy with the Horry County Sheriff’s Office and is assigned to a multi-jurisdictional task force in partnership with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, where he works with multiple agencies on complex investigations to enhance public safety.

    Sean has been connected to Giving Hope Gardens since its inception, having grown up alongside Jordan, whose story inspired the organization’s founding. In addition to his work with the gardens, he volunteers with several nonprofit organizations throughout the community.

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  • Wendy Carter Johnson serves as a Board Member of Giving Hope Gardens, where she supports fundraising efforts and assists with organizational activities. She is passionate about promoting inclusion and creating opportunities for individuals with special needs to grow and thrive.

    Wendy is a graduate of Loris High School and spent 45 years working in the banking industry. Her dedication to advocacy is deeply personal, as her brother, who has Down syndrome, has inspired her lifelong commitment to supporting the special needs community.

    In her free time, Wendy enjoys reading and playing the piano. She especially values being part of Giving Hope Gardens and seeing interns gain confidence, develop workplace skills, and find acceptance within the community.

A woman sitting on a blue plastic pool holding five adorable black and white puppies, with more puppies in the background behind a fence in a backyard garden.

  • Cathy West serves as a Board Member of Giving Hope Gardens, where she works to support the organization and its mission. She values the opportunity the program provides for adults with special needs to develop life and employment skills while building meaningful connections within the community.

    Cathy is a mother of four and previously owned and operated a used car dealership. She has also been actively involved in breeding, showing, and hunting with Wirehaired Pointing Griffons.

    Her passions include preservation breeding of Wirehaired Pointing Griffons, as well as enjoying art, travel, and great food. Cathy and her family recently moved to South Carolina and were grateful to discover Giving Hope Gardens as a place where their son Jack’s interest in landscaping and working outdoors could thrive while connecting with others in the community.

Staff

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Alissa Wallace – Nursery Manager

Alissa brings over six years of nonprofit experience to Giving Hope Gardens, along with a background as a graduate of the International Institute of Natural Wellness Education. As Nursery Manager, she oversees volunteer coordination, manages the CSA program, and keeps the nursery thriving season after season.

What Alissa loves most about her work here is simple: time in the garden, the connections built with the community, and the chance to work alongside the interns every day. When she's not tending the plants, you'll likely find her outdoors — kayaking, hiking, or somewhere deep in the backcountry on a backpacking trip.

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Jordan Hernandez – Digital Marketing

Jordan is a freelance filmmaker and digital producer based in Greensboro, North Carolina. As the Digital Marketing Producer she leads content creation and outreach on our desktop/mobile platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and this website! She has a Bachelors in English with a concentration in Literary Studies from UNCW and spent much of her time in school interning in the non-profit space and volunteering with organizations such as Going Beyond the Pink, Young Scientist Academy and more. Having been a former Program Coordinator at Giving Hope Gardens, Jordan’s passion for GHG’s mission and uplifting adults with special needs runs deep.

In her free time, Jordan loves watching movies, being in nature, spending time with her family and pets, and working on her portfolio for the video production business she started with one of her best friends in 2025: ArvenusFilm.com.