When we think of children who have been abused or neglected, it’s hard not to feel a deep sense of sorrow. These are children whose lives have been marked by pain, fear, and a lack of love and security. Many of them never get the chance to experience the simple joys of childhood—like playing in nature, listening to the sound of water, or skipping down a path.
But there is hope. In our community, many kind-hearted individuals have come together to create a space where these children can heal and find comfort. This space is known as the Gulf Coast Kid’s House Healing Garden, a 1,500-square-foot outdoor area designed to provide therapeutic support for children who have experienced abuse.
The groundbreaking ceremony for the garden took place on January 9, marking an important step in the project’s development. Located on land adjacent to the Gulf Coast Kid’s House, the Healing Garden will include a variety of features aimed at promoting relaxation and emotional healing. These include sensory plants and pathways, a calming water feature, a musical wall, a maze, various sensory stations, artwork, a mulch trail, benches, a swing, a jasmine-covered fence, and a pavilion that can be used year-round. Security cameras will also be installed to ensure the safety of all who visit.
Gulf Coast Kid’s House, situated on 12th Avenue, serves approximately 4,000 abused children each year in Escambia County. According to the nonprofit child advocacy center, one in nine children in the county experiences abuse, often from someone they know and trust.
The Healing Garden is the class project for the 2026 Leadership Pensacola class, which received a $103,500 grant from IMPACT 100 Pensacola Bay Area to help fund the project. The total cost of the project is just under $200,000, and the Leadership Pensacola class is currently fundraising to cover the remaining expenses.
Lauren Gund, a team leader for the project and a board member of IMPACT 100 Pensacola Bay Area, praised the initiative. “Gulf Coast Kid’s House does phenomenal things for our community, and this is just such a cool idea,” she said. “The impact that it’s going to make will be amazing. A Healing Garden is going to help children process their trauma.”
Gund emphasized that the Leadership Pensacola class is not only raising funds but also actively involved in the project. “We’re going to do everything from helping select the features and materials to working with the contractor, Green Procedures, Inc., to literally coming out here and putting our hands in the dirt and planting plants and building structures.”
Jaime Aughtman, the clinical director of Gulf Coast Kid’s House, highlighted the benefits the garden will bring to children. “There are going to be lots of spaces for relaxation and sitting, and we’ll be able to hold therapy sessions here,” she said. “Right now, I’d say 95 percent of our therapy sessions are indoors. Being outside in nature, with a water feature and music stations, will allow kids to move and express themselves. The peace that provides, especially for trauma victims, will be a great space for them.”
Teniade Broughton, a city council member for District 5, spoke about the significance of the garden. “I remember when this was the old A&P grocery store,” she said. “I want to thank you for bringing this to our community. It reminds me of the spirit of family in District 5. By creating this, you’re reminding us that even when young people don’t have family, there is a family and a community to love and support them.”
According to Stacey Kostevicki, the executive director of Gulf Coast Kid’s House, the project is expected to be completed in the first or second quarter of the year. For more information about Gulf Coast Kid’s House, including ways to report abuse and how to support the organization, visit www.gulfcoastkidshouse.org.