We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Julia Whitley a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Julia, you’ve got such an interesting story, but before we jump into that, let’s first talk about a topic near and dear to us – generosity. We think success, happiness and wellbeing depends on authentic generosity and empathy and so we’d love to hear about how you become such a generous person – where do you think your generosity comes from?
I was born in St. Anne’s Convent for Pregnant unwed Teenage girls in Los Angeles (now called St. Anne’s Family Services) About Us – St. Anne’s Family Services. I like to say that I was born into the hands of nuns who held, swaddled and fed me both literally and figuratively. I do believe that those hands did in fact create in me a sense of kindness, generosity and love for all living things.
I was adopted by a wonderful couple/family as an infant and essentially raised in Palos Verdes since I was a year old. Both of my parents were a part of the Silent Generation who were key in shaping society, especially with the Civil Rights Movement. My Father was one of 11+ children born in Tennessee and was taught by my Grandmother, that giving to others no matter the value, is the greatest gift. My Father, James, is what is referred to as a higher vibration being, someone who consistently embodies and radiates positive emotions, thoughts, and energy, such as love, joy, peace, and gratitude. I was told as my parents were passing on to the next life, that it was no mistake that I was chosen by my Father, and Mother. That I was destined to be his legacy.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
About Giving Life Garden
Giving Life Garden is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit rooted in the sacred relationship between nature, grief, healing, and abundance. Through floral recycling, earth stewardship, and womb-centered community care, the organization creates spaces where life is remembered, reclaimed, and restored. Inspired by the legacy of Dr. June Cooper, Giving Life Garden believes that what’s discarded still holds life and that love can grow again. My most wonderful partner in life and love began this journey together 8 years ago and it is incredible to finally see it come to fruition.
Giving Life Garden, a Southern California–based nonprofit, that is transforming discarded florals from weddings and special events into spaces of healing, grief support, and reconnection for underserved communities.
It is rooted in the belief that life is sacred, circular, and meant to be shared, Giving Life Garden plants seeds of joy, especially for those who feel disconnected from abundance in their own lives.
At the heart of this mission is ALIVE Garden Space, a healing sanctuary located in Downtown Los Angeles. ALIVE offers access to plants, earth-based education, and opportunities for ritual, rest, and restoration. Through partnerships with florists, event designers, and conscious retailers, the nonprofit diverts floral waste which averages over 600 pounds per wedding and breathes new life into blooms that would otherwise be discarded.
We see florals as more than décor, they’re medicine, memory, and messengers. Giving Life Garden isn’t just about sustainability. It’s about the soul. When someone is done with their florals, we see them as just beginning their next chapter. These blooms still have so much to offer.
Giving Life Garden is inspired by the life and legacy of my Mom, Dr. June Cooper, the first African American President of Cal State Long Beach. A visionary educator, community leader, philanthropist, and lifelong gardener, my Mom spent her life serving others, encouraging people to follow their dreams and find beauty in the world around them. Her garden was her sacred space, where she cultivated peace, insight, and resilience. Giving Life Garden honors her memory by preserving the things she loved, flowers, people, and purpose.
Repurposed flowers fund and activate projects that preserve life, inspire wellness, and reconnect communities with nature. One of Giving Life Garden’s first major projects is a nature walk at Sessions Retreat and Hotel in Big Bear, California designed to offer forestry classes, community gatherings, and ecological education. We envision nature walks across California, living tributes to healing, growth, and deepened connection with the land.
Community Programming Includes:
Floral grief healing circles
Womb-centered wellness workshops
Plant giveaways and education days
Recycled floral installations in underserved schools, shelters, and elder homes
In July, the nonprofit gained national attention as finalists in the America’s Favorite Couple contest, pledging to donate 100% of the $10,000 prize to advance their mission. Their story, centered on sacred love, environmental devotion, and community care, has resonated with supporters across the country.
ALIVE Garden Space: A Central Urban Sanctuary
Located in LA Mart, Downtown LA’s iconic design center, ALIVE Garden Space was chosen for its accessibility and deep roots in the city’s history. Originally opened in 1958 as the Los Angeles Furniture Mart, the building evolved into a hub for design, gifting, and wholesale markets. Today, it houses one of LA’s most vibrant creative communities.
We chose LA Mart because it places us right in the flow of the city, It’s easy for people to find us, and for us to find them.
Get Involved
As Giving Life Garden expands, the organization welcomes collaboration with floral vendors, conscious event designers, educators, therapists, and aligned organizations to help grow its impact.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Clearly, I am eternally grateful for my parents and mention them often. They always taught us that hard work, resilience and knowledge were most impactful in framing our future. They instilled in us that nothing truly is free, that it is earned through hard. That you must be resilient and not give up despite hard difficult life may feel. The greatest quality, I feel is knowledge. Never, ever stop learning. We have so much to know and understand from experience and from others. The world truly is our chalkboard.
One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?
As Giving Life Garden expands, the organization welcomes collaboration with floral vendors, conscious event designers, educators, therapists, and aligned organizations to help grow its impact.
For press inquiries, donation opportunities, or to schedule a visit to ALIVE Garden Space, please contact Sherice Lyra at [email protected] or visit https://www.instagram.com/alive.giving.life.garden/
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alive.giving.life.garden/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/giving.life.garden/
Image Credits
Photography by Lena Galasko Photography
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
