Harvest Rainwater & build labyrinth at the Children's Healing Garden Austin Child Guidance Center Children's Healing Garden

The Children's Healing Garden at Austin Child Guidance Center combines the healing benefits of nature with our therapeutic services. We will install a rainharvesting system to irrigate the garden and expand the garden to include a walking meditation labyrinth. Built as a volunteer-based sustainable garden, the rainharvesting system will allow us to minimize water usage in this drought prone area of Texas. The walking meditation labyrinth is the second phase of our garden which provides children and families with a space to walk and meditate as a way of continuing the therapeutic services they receive from the Center. For 59 years, the Center has provided mental health evaluation and treatment services to children and their families on a sliding fee scale. Research shows that a connection with nature improves problem-solving skills, creativity, academic performance, ability to focus, enhances self-control, and reduces stress. This project ensures health and growth of the garden.