Jamie Kirk Hahn's spirit lives on through Camden Street Learning Garden

Twenty-nine-year-old, Jamie Kirk Hahn had her profession—political strategist—and she had her passion—bringing the lives of others into full bloom.

She raised money for charity, and she was working to set up a non-profit to feed needy children.

Hahn died April 24, 2013, two days after suffering stab wounds in her north Raleigh home. Her husband, Nation, was attacked but survived.

Police arrested the couple’s longtime friend and colleague, Jonathan Wayne Broyhill, in connection with the stabbings.

“John [Broyhill], you killed her,” Nation said. “You tried to kill me, but you can’t kill her spirit.”

Her spirit lives on in the Camden Street Learning Garden, where kids in an urban, low-income neighborhood can know the richness of homegrown vegetables.

“I think that’s the beauty in why we really love coming to Camden Street,” said Alexis Trost, executive director of the Jamie Kirk Han Foundation. “We saw it when it was a vacant lot last year and now we’re coming back. We’re seeing the kids out here planting their own rose.”

Foundation volunteer Tim Longest, who helps cultivate the garden during the summer months, said making sure volunteers are making a positive impact on others’ lives is the most important factor.

“You want to make sure the work you’re doing is actually having a tangible impact and actually making a difference in the lives of the people you’re serving,” Longest said. “And I think that the only way you can do that is by working together with them.”

What had been an abandoned lot on Camden Street is now abundance. The garden was dedicated in April, and its classroom building is named in honor of Hahn.

“Our hope is that by participating in some little way, you’re able to get to know your community better,” Longest said. “You get to know your partners better.”