THINGS TO DO:
The Rose Garden
Located on the corner of Davis and Tyler near the historic Bishops Art District, The Rose Garden serves a couple of purposes. As a business, The Rose Garden is a resale shop open to the public featuring an array of collectibles. It is also a training facility designed specifically for the participants of an organization called 2000 Roses. The storefront offers a plethora of unique nick-knacks such as scented candles, home décor, custom-made jewelry and gently used apparel all with a reasonable price tag. Extravagant art pieces and eclectic furniture dominate the main showroom, while apparel and accessories can be found in the newly renovated space next door. What makes The Rose Garden unique? They have a distinct mission to give back to the community by educating individuals through various trades and offering upscale resale. Their efforts are inspirational and admirable to say the least, here's why:
2000 Roses
2000 Roses started as a mission co-founded in 1999 by Kelly Wiley, owner of The Rose Garden. Realizing the increase of the recidivism rate that existed between the transitional phase of being incarcerated to becoming a rehabilitee of the Texas Penal System, Wiley decided to plant a seed that would later blossom into an organization called 2000 Roses. Concentrating the initiative solely on women who have survived shattered pasts and broken lives, 2000 Roses positions itself as a safe haven that offers counseling, education and an overall sense of stability as these women restart their lives in a better, more progressive direction. Specifically, the program is made up of a methodical system that bases all its attributes on the fact that the individual is in a transitional phase in life. The program's principles are derived from its founders through personal experience and understanding. Their passion to help these women proves that although a rose may be adorned with the thorns of life, once matured by love and nurtured with spiritual guidance, the beauty within will always blossom, overshadowing the thistles of the past.
The Gardner's Story
Co-Founder, Kelly Wiley, warmly welcomes all patrons, by passers and customers, with open-arms, a contagious smile and a personality that’s nothing short of angelic. At first glance, you'd never know that nearly two decades ago she faced a 31-year prison sentence over an offense of which she had no affiliation. During the 13-month arraignment, she noticed that many of the inmates she encountered while in jail, returned not too long after they were released. Astonished by the alarming retention rates she began to simply ask, "Why?" On a quest to find the answers, countless inquiries and numerous heartbreaking stories later all pointed to one common denominator: physical and emotional abuse. Throughout the history of African American woman in general, not just tthose with whom she shared a cell, physical and emotional abuse has been a battle women of all ages and backgrounds have fought, however it's been a silent fight. It's become taboo in the Black community and Wiley, released in 1992, decided change was imminent, starting with her own life and story. Ten years later, Wiley, as the leading voice of advocacy for this issue and in partnership with entrepreneur Alonzo Harris, chartered 2000 Roses and officiated a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization. Today, her vision has blossomed into a force that has changed the lives of hundreds of women right here in the Dallas metroplex. Her heart alongwith her affinity for broken women makes this mission a rose that will never whither.
To learn more about The Rose Garden and 2000 Roses, visit 841 Davis Street, Dallas, Texas 75208 or call 214.941.1333.
