The Community Foundation of Northeast Alabama (CFNEA)

Named for one of the longest serving members of the Supreme Court, and native of Clay County, the eponymous future Sacred Place is intended to offer a place of quiet reflection while also recognizing and honoring those who struggled and fought for their basic civil and human rights.

While the City of Heflin has much to boast—proximity to the South Appalachian Mountains, a nearby Watershed, community recreation opportunities, to name a few—it seeks to infuse a Sacred Place to encourage mindful reflection, healing, stress reduction and mood enhancement.

The McCord’s Crossroads Homemakers Club provides positive support for local families through leadership and education—with an emphasis on place and history.

The Sculpture Garden is the ideal blend of both beautiful art, serene nature, and a true Sacred Place of respite for the entire community.

This Sacred Place does the best of both worlds: it physically and mentally gives back to the community, making it a truly special place.

All of the senses are engaged through the garden’s purposeful goal of reflection and meditation for all. Visitors are able to walk through three circular paths representing the three stages of life: birth, life’s journey, and rebirth. The sights of the lush, green trees and the sounds of nearby birds all add to the serenity of the garden.

This quarter-acre pocket park will offer a means for reflection; a place for people to feel an understanding of Anniston's rich history; a step towards revitalizing this important neighborhood; and a means to bring people together in the name of unity.

The Sacred Place "provides an enclosed space to enjoy all of the natural elements of the outdoors,” Project member Jennifer Finlayson says. “It provides beauty for the senses; sounds from the wind chimes, fragrance of the seasonal plants and flowers, views of the changing landscape that incorporate all four seasons, and the texture of the various landscape elements.”

SAFE is a community-based, non-profit organization who works to promote the safety and wellbeing of children and families in its community. This Sacred Place is a collection of four "nature rooms" filled with a rich multisensory plant palette and designed to engage students in its care.

Sarah’s Garden beckons the public to come, sit, unwind, think, pray, and meditate. It is an ideal place for those with mental health issues, as it sets up a therapeutic space. But overall, it is a communal setting for all to simply relax and reflect.

The Sensory Garden is an interactive space which allows for healing and thought through the enjoyment of herbs, tending to plants, and simply strengthening oneself. By healing visitors from the inside out, real lasting change can take hold.

Infusing pride, a sense of agency and civic engagement are the driving forces behind the creation of a Sacred Place in the City of Ashland.

Talladega College's historic campus, removed from nearby urban hustle, is uniquely positioned for a Sacred Place. This Sacred Place, outside the college's Chapel, provides a central location for college students, faculty, and staff, as well as members of the surrounding community, to congregate and connect.

This Sacred Place is truly a holistic healing for individuals of all ages who come here for peace and reflection.