There’s a new Peace Garden here at The Center

On Friday, September 11, volunteers from The United Way, Suncoast, planted a “First Responders Peace Garden” at the Franciscan Center, 3010 North Perry Ave. Tampa.  The garden is a quiet and reflective place for first responders to gather while they are attending the Center’s monthly retreat “Operation Restore.”  

Operation Restore is a unique four-day retreat designed to help first responders, veterans, and military of all faiths, who suffer from the tolls of cumulative stress during their service to the community. The Franciscan Center has been offering this retreat since 2013 and has impacted the lives of over 300 individuals and families. 

The creation of this native Florida butterfly garden adds an extra dimension to the retreat. It will be conducive to meditation, journaling, conversation, and quiet introspection – all essential to the healing process.