Nora Dowd Community Courtyard

Down Arrow

A Sanctuary of Healing and Hope. A Legacy of Compassion and Care.

Edward Dowd’s philanthropy was deeply personal. Diagnosed with multiple sclerosis at 47, he saw firsthand the challenges faced by others with MS, many of whom lacked access to resources. To help, he established the Edward M. Dowd Personal Advocate Program with a significant gift to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, improving the lives of those affected by the disease.

Ed’s commitment to giving extended beyond MS. In 2022, he honored his mother, Nora Dowd, with a transformative gift to the Natividad Foundation. This donation funded the creation of the Nora Dowd Community Courtyard, a peaceful sanctuary for patients, visitors, and staff at Natividad, offering comfort and healing to all who enter.

“This gift in memory of my mother allows me to make sure her legacy of love and caring continues at Natividad.”
–The late Edward Dowd

Green Line

The Heart of the Courtyard: Music and Healing

One of the most impactful aspects of the Nora Dowd Community Courtyard is its Community Music Program. Every Wednesday during Farmers’ Market season, from 10 AM to 2 PM, local musicians fill the courtyard with a range of uplifting, soothing, and joyful sounds. These performances offer much more than music; they create a space where caregivers, patients, and visitors can take a moment to relax, reflect, and experience the transformative power of music in the healing process.

Whether it’s a patient taking a break from the hospital routine or a nurse finding a brief respite during a long shift, the music brings a sense of calm and connection to the courtyard. The initiative embodies Ed’s belief in the power of community and the idea that small moments of joy and reflection can make a profound difference in the journey toward recovery.

Each Wednesday, the courtyard transforms into a vibrant oasis of sound, where every note played helps to honor the memory of Nora Dowd and her commitment to spreading love and caring.

Green Line

“Ed’s vision for Natividad has been so much bigger than I dreamed it would be. He set out to transform spaces into sanctuaries of hope and healing… That breathes life into stories from the past and creates new stories for the future.”

– Jennifer Williams, President and CEO of Natividad Foundation

Healing Through Music

Join us for the Community Music Program every Wednesday during Farmers’ Market season, from 10 AM – 2 PM at the Nora Dowd Community Courtyard. The sounds of local musicians will lift your spirit, reminding us all of the profound impact that music, community, and compassion can have in the healing process.