life
ENCOUNTERS
Kindness in CoMo
JOYCE SMITH SHARES CHILDREN’S GROVE GREATNESS. BY OLIVIA DESMIT · PHOTOS BY L.G. PATTERSON
J
oyce Smith wholeheartedly
organization is embedded throughout
Smith says. Other visual projects include
believes that a single act of
Columbia’s schools, parks and businesses.
the butterfly mural in Alley A, which
kindness can change a life. “You never know what people
Founder Anne Deaton began
was guided by local artist Madeleine
Children’s Grove in 2012 after the Sandy
LeMieux, the new mural in Flat Branch
are going through,” Smith says.
Hook tragedy. “Kindness isn’t a tangible
Park, which was created by Adrienne
“When I moved to Columbia in 2013, I
item,” Smith says. “How do you explain
Luther, and butterfly benches. Children’s
wanted to make a difference artistically.
kindness to people?
Grove has also given away more than
Through Children’s Grove’s projects and
“I work on projects that reflect
working with unbelievably kind people, I
kindness visually,” Smith says. These
signs throughout Columbia, including
hope that I have.”
include “kindness trees” planted at
outside of public schools, businesses
schools throughout Boone County,
and residences.
Children’s Grove, which Smith is a board member of, is a 501(c)(3) organization that seeks to inspire a
butterfly benches and art murals. “The kindness trees, which are
200 “Kindness Changes Everything” yard
School Successes
culture of kindness and support mental
butterfly magnolias, symbolize kindness
While butterfly benches and murals
and emotional wellbeing of children,
visually and a plaque beneath each
stand out visually, Children’s Grove
youth and young adults in Columbia
tree features our motto ‘A single act
volunteers also organize community
and Boone County. The volunteer-run
of kindness can change a life forever,’”
education programs focused on youth-
30 INSIDE COLUMBIA OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2021
