We formed our committee to create an inclusive environment to bring trauma-focused therapeutic community gardens to at-risk youth and communities around the world.
“Alone, we can do so little; together, we can do so much.” – Helen Keller
“The success of this project is that everyone has a valuable part to play. These gardens are being built by the community for the community. They are owned by the community and valued by the community. The aim is to celebrate everyone involved every step of the way. Life is about celebrating the little things which, when gathered together, become the most valuable things – they are the essence of what creates shared happiness.” – Natasha Donnelly
Natasha Donnelly is an RN and Sociologist with a Ph.D. in Suicide Prevention. Natasha has been actively involved as part of the healthcare team, advocate, researcher and educator in mental health settings for many years at Juvenile Justice and Psychiatric Facilities. Natasha has been involved with suicide prevention since 2000, her international work included being an Adviser for the First Suicide Prevention Strategy for England and founding the UK mental health charity Students in Mind.
Natasha has been an active collaborator in many statewide multi-disciplinary initiatives in North Carolina. Natasha is passionate about designing initiatives to promote Trauma-Focused care and has been involved in therapeutic designs of indoor and outdoor spaces since 2004. In 2014 Natasha began researching the concept of Trauma-Focused Sensory Gardens and in 2016 took the idea to Juvenile Justice! In 2017 Natasha approached NC State University and was directed to Anne Spafford and her students. They joined the project to add horticultural expertise to North Carolina’s first Trauma-Focused Therapeutic Garden for Juvenile Justice settings. Natasha is proud to be a Board Member of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and an advisor for the Legacy Committee for the new Dorothea Dix Park in Raleigh, NC.
“We change the world by changing ourselves.” Lucia Rene
Anna Campbell has a BA in Communication/Public Relations and is currently earning her MBA in international business affairs. She is the business operations and marketing manager at Oak City Marketing Agency. She has 18 years of social entrepreneurship experience and has served within numerous community organizations focused on economic development, mental health awareness, and community development. As a business professional and volunteer, she has provided business development resources, project management services, and community outreach initiatives while working with schools, NGO’s, nonprofits, emergency service providers, and environmental organizations.
During Anna’s time volunteering with the American Foundation of Suicide Prevention (AFSP) in Fuquay-Varia from 2014 to 2018 she was trained to provide immediate assistance to individuals expressing signs of mental health distress and suicidal behavior.
Andrew Markoch serves as the Director of Fine Arts and Innovation for the Vance County Schools in Henderson, NC. This is his third career in education having taught instrumental music for fifteen years in Ohio and served as a building level principal/assistant principal for fifteen years in North Carolina prior to moving into this position.
Among the many hats that he has worn has been the lead administrator for a ninth-grade center both on and off of the main school campus and in this role, he was able to facilitate moving students forward both academically and socially as they transitioned through this critical learning year. Mr. Markoch is passionate about finding opportunities for students that allow them to develop their own skills and talents. He has been married to his wife Lora for 30 years and has two adult children.
Jane Ann Miller has a Master of Public Health degree in community mental health administration, a BS in psychology, and fourteen years of experience in community mental health programs. She served primarily as a child mental health case manager in urban areas of Pennsylvania and rural counties in NC. As a case manager, she served high-risk children and adults and interfaced with medical providers, schools, the court system, detention centers, mobile crisis, and crisis bed programs. Other duties included being a community and state hospital liaison and an outreach therapist.
Since joining the state’s Division of Public Health’s Injury and Violence Prevention Branch in 2000, she most notably served as the state’s Project Director for the federal youth suicide prevention grant known as Garrett Lee Smith from 2008-2015. Jane has conducted countless presentations and provided guidance to citizens, professionals, and agencies about suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention.
Neil Donnelly is an ACMA/CIMA qualified Finance Professional with over 20 years working in various roles within Global organizations across multiple countries. Currently holding the position of FP&A Director at Victra, a $1.5bn Turnover national retailer in Raleigh, NC.
Neil has had an active involvement in supporting Suicide Prevention and advocating for Mental Health throughout his life, including volunteering for many events and charities including Students in mind, Pride, AFSP, and international Sanity Fair. Neil has served as Treasurer for Students in Mind and is currently Treasurer for the NC Chapter of The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
TFTC Gardens© 